llorenzo posted on December 29, 2008 18:00
What is it about the beginning of a new year that sparks the fire to want to begin something new, amend something old or change a habit? We often mark our progress to a goal with the time it takes to achieve each milestone. Faster isn't always better. Is it more challenging to make a change and really stick with it: to form a habit.
When making a resolution one must make an action plan to define the steps to the resolution, then stick to their plan even in times of stress and temptation.
Routine: Our minds and bodies crave routine. It's important that you set a routine for yourself and stick to it. If getting up early and exercising is your resolution, then have the will power not to roll-over and hit the snooze. GET UP!
Avoidance: Avoid temptation. If you order a meal that comes with fries tell your server not to bring them. Resist the temptation of a compromising situation and call on your will power. You know what's good for you.
Planning: If eating better is a new habit you want to practice in the new year, plan ahead and pack yourself a nutritious lunch so that you won't have to eat in a cafeteria or restaurant where you're likely to consume more calories. If quitting smoking is the habit you want to stop, plan other activities for your breaks. Use break to write thank you notes to your friends or clients, pay bills on-line, call a loved one and tell them how much they mean to you or take a quick walk of the stairwells to improve your cardiovascular health! Plan to make good choices.
Tell People: In order to succeed you need support! Tell others about your goals so they can support you instead of tempting you to join them for a smoke, chili-cheese fries or a shopping splurge. If you're doing something good for yourself your friends and family will support you and may even join you. They will respect your resolve and your discipline.
Hold Yourself Accountable: We must hold ourselves accountable for our goals in order to succeed. We must recognize that any excuse to cheat on a resolution comes from our own weakness or lack of discipline. We are often tempted to blame our environment or circumstances for our lapses in willpower but we need to get real; others with much more difficult circumstances or tempting environments have reached their goals before us. If a resolution is important, you can find the time, energy and will power to reach it.
Reward Yourself: It is important that we reward ourselves as we reach milestones in order to maintain motivation. Find something positive with which to reward yourself for your hard work, but make sure that it's not counterproductive to your resolution. If you resolved to lose weight and just burned off your first five pounds, buy yourself a new pair of cross training shoes or an indulgent item of workout apparel. If you quit smoking and hit the one month mark, take a half day off work and get some personal things done that you've been putting off. If you resolved to save money and have been cutting out all the "extras" like after work cocktails, treat yourself and a friend to a reasonably priced bottle of wine while you sort out your bedroom closet. Old buried treasures will feel new again and things you no longer need you can throw out, sell or give to away.
Our resolutions are about making ourselves better. This year do not give into the temptation to quit what you started, be strong in mind and body and your resolutions will become a part of your routine, your life and your habits.
About the Author: Lauren Lorenzo is an owner and Director of Training and Operations at Operation Boot Camp of North America. She is a graduate of James Madison University, an AFAA certified group fitness instructor, ACE certified personal trainer, certified Power Pilates instructors, and certified turbo kick instructor with over than 11 years of experience. Lauren has taught classes at Atlanta Kick, The White House Athletic Center, The GreenbrierAthleticCenter, BaltimoreAthleticCenter and Athletic Club Northeast. She is currently pursuing her masters in nutrition
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Operation Boot Camp is a 30 day fitness program with the mission to help people get fit through positive changes in nutrition, exercise and attitude. For more information on Operation Boot Camp, please visit www.operationbootcamp.com.