"New Year's resolutions" and "better health" tend to go hand in hand. Whether the goal is get rid of unwanted weight, stop smoking, drink less, or choosing to eat healthier, many of changes people want to make are about living a healthy life. If you want to stick to your resolutions, there are a few key things you may want to do about two weeks before you are set to start.
Know your goals: Of course, your long-term or final goals are important? What are your short-term goals? Many people forget about short-term goals, which are essential to accomplishing your long-term goal. Losing 20 pounds in four months is a great long-term goal, but it can be daunting day after day.
Short-term goals for losing 20 pounds in four months can include eating 2 servings of fruit and 3 servings of veggies a day for the first three weeks. After those three weeks, another short-term goal could be to increase cardio time by 6 minutes each session for the next four weeks. Having those shorter goals to look forward to will shorten the overall time frame of the long-term goal, hence increasing your chances of achieving it.
Know your weaknesses: If something near you has even a small chance of keeping you from attaining your short or long-term goal, get rid of it. Throw it away, relocate it to another person's home, or drive an alternate route (if it's a store/restaurant) to avoid it altogether. Don't bother trying to see how strong you are by tempting yourself. It's easier to admit your faults and keep them as far away from you as possible!
Find something that will make you stronger and substitute it for your weakness. For example, instead of purchasing that chocolate bar at the store, get some flowers and put them around the house to remind you how good you are doing!
Get a support system: A support system is a good way to stay motivated because you will not want to let the people down who are holding you accountable. Enlist family members, friends, or even an internet health site as a part of your support system.
Keep a journal: A journal is a good way to gauge what you are doing through your journey towards accomplishing your long-term goals. Write down your feelings as you accomplished your day-to-day tasks. Ask yourself is you encountered any pitfalls and determine how you can avoid them in the future. Write down thoughts about your goals or life in general, being as upbeat as you can when recounting your experiences. As your week ends, read your journal from the page one to the most recent date to help you start the coming week inspired and ready to go.
For your reminders you'll need the calendar for the New Year, 2 index cards, a marker, and a pencil to begin. First, write down your long-term goal on your index cards with the marker. Pin/tape one card next to your calendar on the wall and the other card on your bathroom mirror.
Choose the date you wish to accomplish the long-term goal by, write it on your calendar, and circle the date with the marker. Using the pencil, write the short-term goals on your calendar and circle those dates too. Also, write down the specific daily things you will be doing; such as details of workout session, meal plans, water amounts, etc., that are the basis for your long-term goal in whatever you use daily to log in important dates.
Consistently using these tips will help you reach that goal and live a healthier life! Remember to celebrate all your successes, big or small, and if you veer off course, it's never too late to get back on again. - 15255
Know your goals: Of course, your long-term or final goals are important? What are your short-term goals? Many people forget about short-term goals, which are essential to accomplishing your long-term goal. Losing 20 pounds in four months is a great long-term goal, but it can be daunting day after day.
Short-term goals for losing 20 pounds in four months can include eating 2 servings of fruit and 3 servings of veggies a day for the first three weeks. After those three weeks, another short-term goal could be to increase cardio time by 6 minutes each session for the next four weeks. Having those shorter goals to look forward to will shorten the overall time frame of the long-term goal, hence increasing your chances of achieving it.
Know your weaknesses: If something near you has even a small chance of keeping you from attaining your short or long-term goal, get rid of it. Throw it away, relocate it to another person's home, or drive an alternate route (if it's a store/restaurant) to avoid it altogether. Don't bother trying to see how strong you are by tempting yourself. It's easier to admit your faults and keep them as far away from you as possible!
Find something that will make you stronger and substitute it for your weakness. For example, instead of purchasing that chocolate bar at the store, get some flowers and put them around the house to remind you how good you are doing!
Get a support system: A support system is a good way to stay motivated because you will not want to let the people down who are holding you accountable. Enlist family members, friends, or even an internet health site as a part of your support system.
Keep a journal: A journal is a good way to gauge what you are doing through your journey towards accomplishing your long-term goals. Write down your feelings as you accomplished your day-to-day tasks. Ask yourself is you encountered any pitfalls and determine how you can avoid them in the future. Write down thoughts about your goals or life in general, being as upbeat as you can when recounting your experiences. As your week ends, read your journal from the page one to the most recent date to help you start the coming week inspired and ready to go.
For your reminders you'll need the calendar for the New Year, 2 index cards, a marker, and a pencil to begin. First, write down your long-term goal on your index cards with the marker. Pin/tape one card next to your calendar on the wall and the other card on your bathroom mirror.
Choose the date you wish to accomplish the long-term goal by, write it on your calendar, and circle the date with the marker. Using the pencil, write the short-term goals on your calendar and circle those dates too. Also, write down the specific daily things you will be doing; such as details of workout session, meal plans, water amounts, etc., that are the basis for your long-term goal in whatever you use daily to log in important dates.
Consistently using these tips will help you reach that goal and live a healthier life! Remember to celebrate all your successes, big or small, and if you veer off course, it's never too late to get back on again. - 15255
About the Author:
Anne Maxwell a.k.a. "Schmoozi-Q" is the resident editor of Health Information at http://www.Schmoozins.com - an online magazine for women that gives all women a voice. Join us as a contributor, schmoozer or just hang out a while.
