Did you know? Social support has been a key factor that's proven to help dieters succeed...
Whatever the resolution is, you need to have a game plan to be successful. That said here are ten practical tips you can put to use to make sure this is a year you succeed at keeping your resolutions. Use the following for success!
Journaling is a great technique for holding you accountable.
Social support is a key factor that's proven to help dieters succeed.
Rather than keeping your resolution a secret, tell someone about it.
10 Tips To Keep Your New Year's Resolutions Going Strong
It's without a doubt that the vast majority of you are going to have some type of New Year's resolution related to fitness. Either you want to build more muscle this coming year, finally strip those last few pounds of fat off your body, or perhaps you participate in some form of competitive sports and increasing your performance is the top priority right now.
Whatever the resolution is, you need to have a game plan to be successful. It's no secret that most New Year's resolutions fail, and very often this failure can be attributed to not having a solid game plan.
Click Image To Enlarge. Author, Shannon Clark: "You Need To Have A Plan To Be Successful."
Just as you would write a business plan if you were starting up a new business, you need a goal plan in order to reach your goals effectively. That said, here are ten practical tips you can put to use to make sure this is a year you succeed at keeping your resolutions.
1. Set Deadlines:
One huge problem with many goals is that they don't have a deadline. A goal is only so good as you reaching it, but if no deadline is in place, what's motivating you to push onwards?
Set a firm deadline and by that I mean a specific day. This will keep you in check and you will automatically be able to gauge how well you're doing.
Click Image To Enlarge. Set A Firm Deadline.
Be realistic with this deadline, but at the same time firm. Don't be someone who always talks about doing it, actually do it this time around.
2. Don't Set Resolutions For Too Many Areas Of Your Life:
Another issue that some people have with their New Year's Resolution is that they spread themselves too thin and try and accomplish a little more than they can handle.
Want to improve your fitness level? Great. Want to improve your career? That's good too. Just don't try and totally re-invent yourself all at once. Focus on one aspect of your life to implement behavior changes and accomplish that first.
You don't want to overload yourself, become overwhelmed, and then get nowhere. That will only reduce your feelings of self-confidence, making further goal achievements that much harder to obtain.
3. Tell Someone:
Rather than keeping your resolution a secret, open up and tell someone about it. Not only with this person then be able to support you in your efforts, but they will also hold you accountable.
If you aren't following your planned program (be it cardio training, weight training, or a diet program), they can help to remind you of your goal and hopefully get you back on track.
Click Image To Enlarge. Open Up And Tell Someone About Your Goals.
Do note though that you will want to choose this person carefully, as some people are uncomfortable with pointing out to others when they aren't moving forward in a positive manner. Finding someone who is comfortable doing so is critical otherwise they may not step forward when you need that push the most.
4. Keep A Resolution Journal:
Journaling is a great technique for holding you accountable. True, you only need to be the person to see your writing, but, simply having to put down on paper what you've accomplished can force some people into action.
Furthermore, if you continuously journal your progress, you might identify triggers or factors that are keeping you from your goal. Then you can work to overcome them by coming up with solutions on how to do so.
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New Year's Resolutions!
The problem with most resolutions is that many times they're based on superficial reasons that don't truly affect the individual.
If it helps, pay someone for whatever this reward is (assuming it's materialistic). Tell them if you don't reach your goal, they can keep your money and if you do, they must buy you the reward (obviously be sure you do trust this person not to just take the money and run!).
6. Imagine Yourself At Your Resolution:
Another good way to help yourself actually reach your resolution this year is to physically imagine yourself having obtained it. Visualize how you will feel, how others will act around you, how it will impact your daily activities, and how you will look.
Having this vivid mental picture in the back of your mind at all times can be hugely powerful and can motivate you when you'd rather skip the gym session or dig in to that bucket of chicken wings.
Click Image To Enlarge. Imagine Yourself At Your Resolution.
7. Partner Up:
Similar to the idea of telling someone about your resolution, even better is if you can partner up with someone who has a similar resolution to you. This way you can cheer each other on and be there for when either of you are struggling.
Social support has been a key factor that's proven to help dieters succeed, so make sure you don't overlook this consideration.
Welcome To BodyGroups: Fitness Support Groups.
By creating a BodyGroup you can invite BodySpace members to join, set reachable goals, collaborate, and set unbreakable commitments.
If your resolution puts you out of your comfort zone or involves doing something you're not entirely sure how to do (for instance if you've never lifted weights before), be sure you seek the professional help you need before beginning.
Far too many people choose to go at it alone and start off on the wrong foot. This causes them to waste months of time - months that could have been used getting you closer to your goal.
Click Image To Enlarge. Seek The Professional Help You Need Before Beginning.
It may cost a bit of money upfront, but this will be money well spent if you're serious about reaching your goal.
9. Take Pictures:
Yet another way to keep your resolutions is to take before pictures of yourself along with progress pictures. Seeing the progress you're making along the way in the physical form of images can be very powerful for some people.
You might even consider entering yourself into one of the many transformation contests that are out there, so you can not only show off your hard work, but also inspire others to make similar changes as you.
RELATED VIDEO: TAKE PROGRESS PICTURES
Video Tip Of The Week:
Tip #25: Tiffany Forni's Photos Tip!
In this episode, Tiffany Forni explains how using your "before" picture as motivation can keep you determined to get the body you've always dreamed of having!
Finally, if your New Year's resolution involves giving something up (watching less TV, stop drinking apart from Saturday nights, etc), come up with a long list of suitable substitutions.
Doing so helps prevent slip-ups when you're stuck with nothing to do and that activity crosses your mind. By having this list of alternatives, you know exactly what you need to be doing when that desire creeps in.
The New Year Blah's!
You work, you have kids, and you have a busy schedule. Somewhere in there make time for you. Get some great ideas right here to improve your motivation.
So, be sure you keep these points in mind after making your New Year's Resolutions. The absolute most critical thing is to have a plan - without a plan, you're like a deer in the woods, lost without a way.
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