Well here we are at the end of January and the New Year’s resolutions are already beginning to fade.  Where do we go wrong when we started the year with such enthusiasm?  This was going to be the year to lose weight, get in shape and live a healthier life.  How can that be lost in just 1 month? 

The main reason has more to do with poor planning than it does poor motivation.  Motivation is not some “thing” that we either have or don’t have.  It is the plan that we use for the year ahead and more importantly, the week ahead, the day ahead and the hour ahead.  PLAN your fitness.  PLAN your diet.  Then, make yourself accountable.  Here are some simple ways to succeed:

1.  Make your plan SMART.  That stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.

2.  Set short term goals each week.  Set longer term goals for 3-6 months based on the SMART plan.

3.  Plan your meals and plan your exercise.  Put them on paper or on the computer.

4.  Plan for barriers ahead of time.  When something gets in the way of your goal, change your plans and modify your goal, but DON’T GIVE UP!  Be prepared for what you will order BEFORE you go to the restaurant.  Be prepared to say “no thank you”.  Don’t let people sabatage you.  Instead, be a positive influence on them.

5.  Get support.  Find a buddy to help or to work out with.  Hire a trainer or join a gym and go with a friend.  Get online help.

6.  Track your progress.  Use a spiral notebook or an online resource (www.mypyramid.gov or www.sparkpeople.com).  Set your goals for the week and write down what exercise you do and what you eat.  Even if you only record your diet once in a while it will make you aware and take away some of the mindless eating that we do.

7.  Be positive and see yourself as who you want to be.  Never say “I am fat” or “I am out of shape” or “I am too old”.   Jack Lalanne once said people don’t die of old age, they die of inactivity.  See yourself as healthy and fit and soon you will find that it is a self-fulfilling prophesy.

8.  Reward yourself.  Of course, don’t reward yourself with ice cream if you lose weight!  Rather, buy yourself a new pair of running shoes or a set of exercise bands.  One unique idea is to track how many miles you walk and set a goal to take a trip somewhere that is within 1,000 miles.  When you have walked as many miles as your destination is from your home, reward yourself with a trip there.  A massage is a great reward too.

Whatever you do, make your fitness and wellness a priority.  Without it, let’s face it…you have nothing else.

To again quote the late, great Jack Lalanne: “Anything is possible and you can make it happen!”