Its February 1st today… how many people are still going strong on their New years resolution?

Statistics show that only about 8% of the population achieve their new years resolution. When I say achieve I mean actually change their lifestyle for good.

Being in the Fitness industry you would think that I love resolutions. NOPE! And, this statistic is one reason why. Not to mention the gyms are always so packed in January that its hard to even get my own workout done. The real reason I don’t like the whole New Year New You business is because I see every day as a New Day! I won’t see another January 31 for a whole year, which means today is the only Feb. 1st that I get this year. So why does everyone wait until New Years to try to better themselves? Maybe a little holiday season remorse?

So if you have already gone back to your old ways… Start again today! And, lets look at some ways to stick to this resolution.

Since I am all about healthy living and fitness lets take a look at the resolution that more than 40% of the population makes. Weight loss/ Self Improvement.

The normal new years resolution goes a little like this…

January 1 Jennifer runs to her local gym in plans to get a year long membership,which is usually upgraded to a 2 year membership due to special deals and convincing sales pitches. Jennifer even goes out and gets a ton of tupperware containers because she is going to try out this meal prep fad that she sees all her friends doing on Facebook. While she is in line at check out she picks up Self Magazine, why not add that to her purchase, she can’t wait to dive into the exercise guide. Week one is going great her alarm goes off at 6:00 every morning she snaps awake… new year new me lets do this. By week 3 of January Jennifer has seen barely any results, her schedule isn’t matching up with her friends and after a long day at work the last thing she wants to do is head to the gym. Not to mention the February Self Magazine hasn’t come out yet and she has no idea what to work.

Jennifer had all the best intentions to change her daily routine. What she didn’t think to change is her mindset. Changing your entire lifestyle in one day is stressful, its and exhausting and scary task. When you expect so much out of yourself its hard to see the positive when there are so many aspects that you fell short on.

So what can you do to make your health and fitness resolutions a reality?

1. Write down your daily routine right now. Write how it makes you feel? Why you want to change?
2. Think of what a day in your new healthy life is like? What activities is it filled with? Where is your time spent?
3. Spend some time planning that 100% healthy day, make sure you have room in your schedule for everything that is planned.
4. Complete your healthy day! Write down how you feel
5. Now take a step back!

 

At this point we have to take a little look at what is realistic. I love this lifestyle, but even when I change up my routine I struggle. It is nearly impossible to change up your entire routine on a flip of a coin. Now that you see all the moving parts and where they will fit in your life concentrate on one a day. It doesn’t even have to be the same one each day. Maybe its portion control, or making it to the gym, Incorporating more protein into your day or having one less drink when your out with your friends. Whatever it is just focus on doing one a day. Success leads to more success. Each night before you go to bed you will be checking in on yourself, what healthy act did I complete today. Eventually without even realizing it you will have woken up had a green shake, gone to the gym after work and even added a new veggie to your dinner that you never realized you LOVED!

Remember just because you missed one day doesn’t mean the whole year is shot… there will always be tomorrow.  Start small, trust yourself, pick different areas in your life to complete a healthy act and focus on your individual successes.

Get going… There won’t be another Feb. 1st for 366 days. (Its leap year!)