Keeping to New Year's resolutions
Happy New Year!!
Many of us set out each new year with goals or resolutions, which we promise to stick by come thick or thin. Trouble is majority of these resolutions don't get completed or are shrugged off by the end of January!
Topping the list each year are: Losing weight; being more active; eating better; getting outdoors more; sleeping more and drinking more water.
All of which are great goals, but their fault lies in their simplicity.
Setting broad goals like the ones listed above is setting you up for failure already.
Goals need to be precise, measurable, attainable and realistic. You have to have a plan of how to achieve that goal and a way of knowing if you have already achieved it.
For example: I want to lose weight. This should rather be set out: I want to lose 5 kilograms within 2 months, by eating more regularly, increasing fruit and veg, avoiding sugar and exercising 3 times a week.
Focus on one goal at a time, although often you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone, like exercising and losing weight. Other goals like sleeping more or drinking more water can be focussed on in due time.
Set a priority goal or number your goals in order of importance, and focus on those in order, if you end up reaching 2 goals, then even better.
Make sure they are attainable goals and realistic ones. Saying you want to lose 10 kgs in a month is unrealistic and when you don't achieve this, it leaves you feeling defeated and abandoing that goal.
If you fall off the horse then get back on as soon as possible. If you slip up and eat a brownie or skip a day of exercise, all is not lost. Start as soon as possible getting back into the routine which you slipped out of.
Have an incentive. It helps if you have a treat lying at the end of the rainbow, like losing weight to fit into a certain dress you have. Exercising so you can run a race on a set date, or climb a mountain etc.
Get support from friends and family that would also like to reach the same goals as you, and set out together.
Set a starting date, for most its the first day in January, but it can really be any date. Try starting on a Monday, write it in your diary and all your calendars.
Think of seeing dietician for a personalised eating and weight loss plan, to have someone that will check up on you, help you along the way and monitor your progress!!
