"New Year's resolutions" is almost identical to "better health." Whether it's to lose weight, stop smoking, drink less, or eat healthier, many of changes people desire to make are in reference to living a healthier life. If you want to stick to your resolutions, there are a few key things you may want to do approximately 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.
To help you lose those 20 pounds in for months, you may want to think about using short-term goals to help you get the job done. This can be something like eating more servings of fruit and vegetables per day for the first few weeks. After those three weeks, you can think about doing something like increasing cardio exercises by a specific amount of minutes each session for the next four weeks. By developing shorter goals you are able to chop your long-term goal into smaller more attainable goals. As a result you increase your chances of actually getting rid of those unwanted 20 pounds.
Know your weaknesses: If there is anything that is going to keep you from reaching your long-term goals, get rid of it. If it is something that needs to be removed from your house, ask someone else to keep it. If it is a store or restaurant, avoid it all cost; even if it means you have take a different route to do so. And forget about trying to be strong and tempting yourself. Instead admit your weakness and just stay away from the temptation.
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: Having people who know your goals and who will expect you to report your actions will keep you motivated to not disappoint them. This support system can be members of your family, friends, or even an Internet health Website with daily posts accounting for your actions.
Keep a journal: Remind yourself of what you've done throughout your journey of your short-term and long-term goals. How did you feel when you accomplished your daily tasks? What pitfalls did you encounter and how can you avoid those the next time? Write down thoughts you have about your goals or life in general and try to be as positive as you can when recounting your experiences. Read your journal from the first page to the current date at the end of each week to help you start the coming week on geared up and ready to go.
A good way to remind yourself of your goals is to get a calendar for the New Year, two index cards, a marker, and a pencil. The first thing you should do is write your long-term goal on the index cards with the marker. Next, pin or tape one card next to the calendar on the wall and the other card on the bathroom mirror.
On your calendar, write down the date that you want to accomplish the goal by and circle that date with a marker. Next take the pencil and jot the short-term goals on the calendar and circle those dates as well. You also want to write down all the basic daily things you will do (details of workout session, meal plans, water amounts, etc.), to reach your long-term goal in whatever organizer, notebook, etc., you use to write down important dates.
Applying these tips will help you reach your goals towards living a healthier life! Be sure to celebrate all your successes, big or small, and if you mess up a little, don't give up. Get back on the road again. - 15995
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.
To help you lose those 20 pounds in for months, you may want to think about using short-term goals to help you get the job done. This can be something like eating more servings of fruit and vegetables per day for the first few weeks. After those three weeks, you can think about doing something like increasing cardio exercises by a specific amount of minutes each session for the next four weeks. By developing shorter goals you are able to chop your long-term goal into smaller more attainable goals. As a result you increase your chances of actually getting rid of those unwanted 20 pounds.
Know your weaknesses: If there is anything that is going to keep you from reaching your long-term goals, get rid of it. If it is something that needs to be removed from your house, ask someone else to keep it. If it is a store or restaurant, avoid it all cost; even if it means you have take a different route to do so. And forget about trying to be strong and tempting yourself. Instead admit your weakness and just stay away from the temptation.
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: Having people who know your goals and who will expect you to report your actions will keep you motivated to not disappoint them. This support system can be members of your family, friends, or even an Internet health Website with daily posts accounting for your actions.
Keep a journal: Remind yourself of what you've done throughout your journey of your short-term and long-term goals. How did you feel when you accomplished your daily tasks? What pitfalls did you encounter and how can you avoid those the next time? Write down thoughts you have about your goals or life in general and try to be as positive as you can when recounting your experiences. Read your journal from the first page to the current date at the end of each week to help you start the coming week on geared up and ready to go.
A good way to remind yourself of your goals is to get a calendar for the New Year, two index cards, a marker, and a pencil. The first thing you should do is write your long-term goal on the index cards with the marker. Next, pin or tape one card next to the calendar on the wall and the other card on the bathroom mirror.
On your calendar, write down the date that you want to accomplish the goal by and circle that date with a marker. Next take the pencil and jot the short-term goals on the calendar and circle those dates as well. You also want to write down all the basic daily things you will do (details of workout session, meal plans, water amounts, etc.), to reach your long-term goal in whatever organizer, notebook, etc., you use to write down important dates.
Applying these tips will help you reach your goals towards living a healthier life! Be sure to celebrate all your successes, big or small, and if you mess up a little, don't give up. Get back on the road again. - 15995
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.
