New Year’s resolutions are about as big a tradition as the New Year’s celebration, itself. Unfortunately, they usually only last about that long, too. And what’s the number one, most common New Year’s resolution year after year? You guessed it (probably because it is also yours): to lose weight. That means that year after year, people are committing to a weight loss goal all in the name of the New Year, and then forgetting about that goal once the excitement of the New Year ends and life gets back to “normal.” Not so effective, right? There is a better way, and that better way actually means leaving the whole New Year’s resolution idea behind in favor of something more realistic. The more effective (and statistically more successful) way to make that positive change this year is to set some weight loss goals that have nothing to do with ringing the New Year in. Here are some tips for really accomplishing your dreams of weight loss this year:
Goal setting. It is important that you outline some steps for yourself. One of the reasons New Year’s resolutions are so unsuccessful is that they carry terminology like, “lose weight this year,” with no real plan for action behind them. Your weight loss plan needs to be plotted out and broken into feasible tasks that can be accomplished on both a short-term and long-term basis. For example, your short term goals can include things like increasing your workout time by 10 minutes per week, losing 2 pounds per week, or fitting into that new dress within three months. Longer term goals might include things like finishing a marathon race or getting back to your pre-baby weight.
Looking forward. Instead of “New Year’s” resolutions, your weight loss goals need to be like “new life” resolutions. That means you need to plan on permanently changing your habits and heading into subsequent years with better habits (and a healthier lifestyle) to build on.
Patience. One reason New Year’s resolutions fail is that people get impatient with the actual time and work it takes to accomplish them. That’s because New Year’s resolutions are much more exciting in theory than they are in application. A resolution is an ideal, but not necessarily a plan and commitment. When you set goals, you are more realistic about what is to come, and less likely to lose patience when the going gets tough.
Here are some straight-forward reasons for why you should ditch your New Year’s resolutions altogether and, instead, focus on creating realistic, obtainable goals. Try this approach this year, and you may find that come next New Year, your success enables you to set new goals that have nothing to do with your dress size.
About the Author: Roasrio Lindauer is a personal trainer who enjoys helping his clients set both short and long-term goals. How do you lose weight? By making real lifestyle changes that will last forever – not just until you hit your goal weight.