New Years Resolutions- How to Keep Them!

Good Sunday Morning to All! It is a Fabulous Morning here in Sunny South Florida. Yesterday we touched on the subject of New Years Resolutions. Today, I thought I would give you some insight on the best way to make them so they stick with you well into the New year! We already covered making a commitment. That's step one.

Once you have made that commitment, now you have to figure out what to do to be able to make it work! I'm going to give you some fabulous pointers that I found in the book "This year I will...". What you will need are S.M.A.R.T. Goals. This applies to EVERY goal you set.

First: Don't set more than 2 goals, and make them relevent to one another. The reason for this is that you can concentrate on these 2 areas and not worry about the 20 other areas you want to accomplish. Once you have chosen your 2 goals, now we need to make them SMART.

Smart Means: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, RElavent and Time-Bound.

For Example: My 2 Personal goals (which I am already working on) are:
# 1. Go From 185 lbs to 135 lbs by December 31, 2010.
To make my goal SMART- I add EXACTLY what I will do to achieve this goal! 
I will go to the gym and do 40 minutes of Cardio 5 days a week, 2 Strength Training Sessions a week (Once a week with a trainer), and 2 days of Yoga Classes every week. I will write the schedules in my daily planner just like a regular appointment.

#2 : Have a healthier diet:

I will track my food intake daily on Sparkpeople.com. I will eat a minimum of 25 grams of Fiber a day, and 2 fruits and vegetables a day.

Now, I could have been like 97% of the population and said "I will lose 50lbs and eat healthier." These are NOT "SMART Goals! They will not be achieved! Why? Because there is no measurable plan!

Be Specific! Very Specific! And once you have made your SMART Goals- Follow through and make your life better for yourself!

" You can do what you have always done, and next year be who you've always been. OR- You can take control of your life, and by next year, be who you've always wanted to be!" Remember- the choice is ultimately yours!

We'll talk tomorrow! Have a fabulous Sunday!

Try..... Never use the word TRY!

I just went on the question section of Sparkpeople.com, and someone was asking what everyone's New Years Resolutions would be. This got me very interested as I don't make any. You'll see why soon. But to update- I read some of the feedback and was very interested to see that they were exactly what I expected. Lose weight, eat healthier, drink more water...etc. Also- the most dominant word was...TRY. I will try to eat healthier, try to drink more water.. etc.

The word try is a tough word. It is linked with words like should (I should Exercise more) and need ( I need to eat more fruits and vegetables). They are words of intention, but NOT words of commitment.

If you use these words- try, should, need... you have great INTENTIONS of getting healthy and in shape, but probably are not committed yet.

Do any of these sound familiar>>>
Next Year, I'm going to try to eat more vegetables.
Next year, I am going to try to save more money
Next year, I'm going to try to go to the gym more often.

Yeah, I've said them too. THIS is why I do not make New Years Resolutions. These statements set us up for failure as soon as we say them. There is no commitment behind them!

THIS YEAR: Do this... Make a commitment! Don't wait until New Years. Do it NOW! Sit down and write down ONE, and ONLY ONE VERY SPECIFIC GOAL You want to accomplish in 2010.
and then start it- IMMEDIATELY!

No Excuses! I can hear you now- but it's the holidays.... but we are spending a week at the in-laws and they always cook so much.... STOP! NO excuses! Are you committed, or are you...
gonna try?

I'd love your feedback on this blog! I enjoy a raring Discussion! Visit my page on Sparkpeople.com- follow me as friend here- or vilify me :) Either way!

But above all, be true to yourself! Make that commitment- to yourself!

I'm Here to Introduce Myself

Hello Everyone,
I'm new to this whole Blogging thing. That won't stop me though! I like to talk! And I like to Motivate People.
I am hoping that with this blog, I will be able to motivate people in a lot of different ways. The main objective is to help people in their journey to better health. Weight loss, keeping goals going, offering compassion, advice, and sometimes, even tough love!

I am a single woman in my 40's who wants to help others in this journey. Best of all- I am on this journey myself, so I am just like you! I am not an expert in health care or getting fit. It's not that kind of blog. I am a simple woman who wants to help others in their journey as much as others will help in mine- even if you don't know it. I want your stories, your trials and tribulations, and your failures and successes. I hope others will befriend you and everyone has a good time.

I am a member of Sparkpeople.com. and Blog there as well. Check it out. It's a really cool site and very motivational.

Join me in this journey! I promise wit, humor, understanding, motivation, and yes.. tough love!