Achieve your health and fitness goal this year!
Every New Year many of us make a health or weightless resolution and often many of us will break it!
So this year let’s stop the cycle and try to stick to our resolution. If you have set a resolution which is to work out and get healthier then my top tips will help you stick to your new year’s resolution.
Set yourself a goal and plan on how you are going to achieve this goal. Hire the service of a professional fitness trainer to set you an exercise and nutrition plan. Without a detailed plan you are more likely to be guessing and it’s more likely you will go back to previous exercise and eating habits. Focus on making small changes, this way you are more likely to stick to your goals.
Be realistic
Be realistic about your goals – if you set yourself unrealistic unattainable goals then you will be setting yourself up for failure. Make some basic changes and alterations to your lifestyle. E.g. Make changes with what you eat; if you usually skip breakfast then start eating a protein based breakfast or if you don’t drink enough water then start drinking water more often.
Have a friend hold you accountable
Having someone to train with can keep you motivated and you can actually motivate each other – this can be a friend, relative, or personal trainer—who will make sure you stick to the plan. This will motivate you to have an exercise schedule and stick to the planned workout appointments. Your workout partner can be someone who you can turn to when you need advice a sympathetic ear when you feel guilty for eating a bucket of KFC or skipping a day of working out.
Be positive
It’s very important to believe in yourself! Change your mind-set and think positively – you can achieve almost anything if you believe in yourself. Tell yourself you’re an amazing person and you will achieve your goal no matter how hard it is.
Reward yourself
Once you reach your set goals award yourself – this doesn’t mean eat junk food or a box of chocolates. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something you enjoy that doesn’t contradict your resolution e.g. you could reward yourself with new fitness clothing or a beauty / spa treatment.
Don’t beat yourself up and don’t overdo it!
Don’t set yourself totally unrealistic goals such as; to exercise every day, twice a day! Every so often give your body a rest. Enjoy your ‘rest days’ by planning time with family, scheduling a movie or just curl up with a good book. Give your body and your brain a day to simply just ‘be’. Obsessing over the occasional setback won’t help you achieve your goal – Do the best you can each day, and take one day at a time.
Be patient
You won’t achieve your goals overnight. It takes about 21 days for a new activity or lifestyle change to become a habit and six months for it to become part of your personality. Be patient with yourself and set realistic time scales to reach your goals. Don’t get discouraged with slow progress or setbacks. You will see results if you keep yourself focused. It won’t happen overnight, so be persistent and patient!
Dal Dhaliwal – Health & Fitness Expert – TV & Radio Presenter
Founder of Body Perfect Personal Training Studio – www.bodyperfectpt.com
Follow me on Twitter: @daldhaliwalPT Facebook: Dal Dhaliwal
