HELLLL YESSSSS!!!

Before we know it, New Year's resolutions will be upon us! A time to start over! A time for new beginnings! A time to re-invent yourself if need be! A time when the gyms become crowded (for a month) and most give up before they even give their bodies a chance at change.

But not you! Not this year. You will stick with your plan for yourself, New Year's resolution or not. How though?? Let's take a look!

STICKING WITH THE PLAN

My husband does not appreciate when I say, "Failing to plan means planning to fail." Not because I'm wrong, because let's face it, I'm not wrong nor was Ben Franklin who said it first.

This usually comes out of my mouth on a weekend morning when my butt has been awake for hours and I really just want to know his plan for the morning. Even if he's not yet awake. He knew what he married, he shouldn't be surprised. ;-)

You really only need a quasi-plan like: 'I want to lose 15 lbs by Spring Break' or 'I want to hit the gym 4/7 days each week.' Something much bigger may be so lofty that it feels impossible. How to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. I've no clue who said this but I'm using it. Don't make yourself nuts. It's your life, your timeline, and if it's not at minimum tolerable (vs. enjoyable), you won't stick with it. Enough preaching, let's get on with how to make your plan stick!

1. There is scientific evidence suggesting that sharing your plan with others can increase its chances of success. So, perhaps consider it. However, if you are more interested in the planning stage than in executing the plan, this approach might not suit you. If you require any form of support, begin by sharing with those who are significant in your life. This doesn't refer to social media platforms, but rather to your partner or close colleagues. People who interact with you nearly every day. You might benefit from having some authentic supporters.

   
   

2.  Invite someone to join your efforts! It's quite motivating to have someone support you and encourage you to get out of bed to meet them. Attending a new class is much easier when you bring a friend along than going alone.

   
   

3. Don't hesitate to pay for a personal trainer, a membership, a new class, some new sneaks. Often times, it takes a hit to the pocketbook to keep up the motivation.

   
   

4. Reward yourself and your workout partner. Decide that you will buy a new workout outfit once you have reached a pre-decided milestone. I had a sticker chart (really!) in my adult years. It could be after your first 10 gym visits or your first 10 lbs. lost. You deserve it!!

   
   

5. Choose dedication over inspiration daily. Inspiration may be temporary, but dedication remains constant.

   
   

6. Give yourself mini non-scale related victories. Your favorite jeans fit better. You didn't die on the step mill. You've graduated to 15 lb. dumbbells.

   If anyone has anything else that has worked for them to add, PLEASE leave your tips for sticking to your plan in the comments section. You never know when your words really hit home for someone.

   
   
   
   

ANYTHING ELSE??

Yes, of course.

Applaud yourself. EVEN IF things don't go how you wanted them to go, applaud anyway. You started a thing! A new thing OR an old thing that you are starting again. And start again. Keep starting again as often as needed because the good news is.....each time you re-start, it's not from the place of a beginner. You have learned something about yourself and that 'thing' I keep referencing. Whew. Read that again. ;-)

Since we are celebrating here, let's celebrate each other too. So many regular gym folk dread this time of year because the gym becomes much more crowded. That older gent on your cable row maybe just finished his last radiation treatment. That bigger girl that took the last treadmill has come to the parking lot 4 times before gathering the courage to walk through the door. That skinny teen boy received a gym membership for Christmas from grandpa and wants to make him proud but has no clue what he is doing. The mom chatting it up with her mom friend instead of using the machine she is sitting on has a few kids, aging parents, needs to get groceries but is choosing to prioritize her physical and mental health on that day.

Let's be the reason that people come back to the gym. A welcoming smile goes a long way. We never really know what anyone is going through on any given day. Be the reason they come back.

Happy New Year to you!

Return often, and I assure you that I'll keep providing entertainment and information!

Karen