Tips on Making Successful Health and Fitness

2015 New Year’s Resolutions

2015 is here, have you made your New Year’s Resolutions? I have different categories that I like to make new “goals” for the New Year. Some of those categories are financial, religious, vacations, family time and of course one I adjust every year is something to do with health and fitness. Have you made New Years Resolutions and were determined to achieve them, but that fire didn’t last as long as you have hoped? If you have, I hope this post will help you come up with goals in a way that will help you achieve them. These can be applied to any type of goal, not just a health and fitness one. Whatever your goal may be, make sure it is a SMART goal.

SMART GOALS

S – Specific

Be specific on the goal you are setting. For example, if my goal was cooking healthier meals for my family. To be more specific I could say, “I will cook healthier for my family by offering fruits and vegetables at every meal and cook with whole wheat products instead of enriched.”

M- Measurable

How will you decide if you meet that goal? It needs to be measurable. Maybe if your goal is to decrease your cholesterol level you first go get your current level checked and decide (possibly with your physician) what a reasonable cholesterol level for you reach. OR maybe it is a weight loss goal you want to achieve. You could measure weight, waist, hips, body fat % and make relevant goals from there.

A- Achievable

When you make a goal you want it to challenge and push you to be better, but you want it to be in your ability to achieve. For example, if my goal is to start cooking healthier for my family and I don’t cook at all right now, my initial goal could be. “I want to cook healthier for my family by cooking a home cooked meal twice a week.” Or is my goal is to lose 30 pounds, “I will lose 30 pounds in 20 weeks by losing 1 1/2 pounds a weeks.”

R- Relevant

How does your goal tie into your key responsibilities and fit within your objectives? Maybe your overall objective is to become healthier, to have more energy for your kids and family. The goals of cooking healthier for your family and losing 30 pounds would fit and help your reach your objective.

T- Time- Bound

Is there a time frame for you to reach your goal? For example, if your goal is to lose 30 pounds, “I will lose 30 pounds in 20 weeks. Or if your goal is to cook healthier for your family, “I will cook healthier for my family, by cooking a home cooked meal twice a week for a month and then I will increase it to 3 times a week for a month.”

Need some ideas of what Health areas to work on?? Check out this post.

Tips to Create a Successful Workout Plan

–Keep It Simple–

Has it been awhile since you last exercised? Start with a basic plan. Maybe start walking 3 to 5 days a week and add some core work (holding a plank is a great start, which can also be modified on your knees) is a good start “program” for you. Then you can progress by adding on more exercises.

Modified Plank Picture from fitbie.com — Modified Plank
Picture from fitbie.com

–Grab a Friend

Having a “workout buddy” is a great way to stay motivated. If you don’t feel up to a workout you have extra support and motivation to get moving (and who regrets working out when you are done).

-Find a Trainer-

Maybe you could use a personal trainer to help you get going and stay motivated. If hiring a personal trainer sounds too expensive, a lot of trainers offer group discounts (which means more motivation too).

–Find a Variety-

How quickly do you get bored by doing the same exercise routine? Mix it up! Try different exercise classes (yoga, spin, zumba, Pilates, body toning), have a friend take you on a hike or take you through an exercise routine, swim, play a sport, jump on a tramp, bike, walk… add a variety to your active lifestyle so you enjoy it and want to keep going!