Rethinking Resolutions for a New Look, New Size, New You
You’ve probably seen the flock of people who flood the gyms for the first two weeks in January. Or maybe you’ve noticed friends and coworkers turn down a treat here and there into February. But the harsh reality is that most people fall off of the New Years bandwagon in no time.
Make 2017 your year to shine and rethink New Years Resolutions for a lasting routine that gives you that new look, new size or new you that you’ve been dreaming of. Here’s how!
Don’t Go It Alone
Find a friend or family member who will embark on the journey with you. Accountability is a great way to stay on track and tap into extra inspiration on those days you feel like giving in. Whether you’re starting a new diet or workout routine, try to form a pact with a partner in crime who can celebrate progress with you day after day and month after month.
Establish Routine with Checkpoints
One of the best ways to position yourself for success is to create a schedule with routine checkpoints. Staring down major weight loss goals can feel like a marathon, so keep things in perspective and break out your main goal into “bite-size pieces”. Let’s say you’d like to lost 15 pounds over the next 4 months. What does that goal look like week by week or month by month? You may find that hitting the intermediate goals are the most encouraging way to achieve your main objective. This approach also prevents you from putting all of your eggs in one basket, so should you lose a daily battle, you can still bounce back and win the war.
Define Your Why and Speak It Daily
Dig a layer deeper than your immediate resolution. If you want to lose weight, ask yourself why. If you want to fit into that new dress or cut out smoking or hike that mountain, ask yourself why. Perhaps the root of your goal is that you want to harness your inner strength or you want to impress your loved ones. Maybe you want to be a model of healthy living for your children. When you define your why, it establishes an important line of defense that you can rely on when temptation creeps in. Suddenly it’s less about choosing a salad and more about being the rock star mom or dad you always wanted to be. Suddenly it’s less about sleeping in and more about living life to the fullest in every way possible!
Relish Your Wins and Release Your Losses
Hold yourself to a high standard but do not hold yourself captive. You might experience a hiccup here and there but stay the course and keep your eyes on the prize. Don’t beat yourself up on a hard day and make it a habit of savoring your wins. This will help you feel fully charged, fully confident and utterly unstoppable.
