December 29, 2006

Resolution Solution for 2007

By Stacey Neil
Special to the Times

It’s 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, you’ve knocked a couple of good ones back and you are feeling fantastic.

As your fellow partygoers start the proverbial count down from 10 to one, you realize within your hazy state of bliss that once again you have forgotten to come up with a New Year’s Resolution. Oh well, what does it matter anyway? The resolution you made last year to exercise more lasted about one week and 35 months short of that 36-month gym contract you signed but never used.

Stacey Neil

Two years ago, you wanted to lose 20 pounds and look good for your 20th high school reunion that spring. Well, that lasted until about the third week in January when you decided you could probably get away with a loose blouse and baggy skirt at the reunion instead (besides you haven’t really changed that much since graduation, right?).

If you are like the 100 million other Americans who are going to come up with a New Years Resolution for better health and wellness this year (which really translates into: weight loss and more exercise) than you need to follow some basic steps to set yourself up to finally win the battle of the flabby muscles and mid-sections.

First, you must create a plan. Your resolution must have resolve (the root of resolution). Make sure to set up the steps you will need to follow in order to achieve results. If you are looking to start on an exercise plan then ask yourself the hard questions. How many days per week are you willing to commit to?

Don’t try and tackle the Mt. Everest of fitness goals right away (such as seven days a week, two hours a day), start with a solid foundation if you are not currently active. Working out three days a week to start is a great way to jump back into better fitness for your body. Most importantly, once you create your plan, write it down and share it with others. Words are power. Use your power to change your life.

Next, you must anticipate the obstacles. If you don’t know what to do in a gym, going three days a week is not going to help you. Standing at the door looking lost will not increase your muscle mass or build up your cardio (unless you count the nervous increase in your breathing as you look out of place). If you don’t know what to do for your body type, fitness level or current ability; hire a personal trainer to show you where to start. Make safety and injury prevention your number one goal as you begin.

There are a lot of programs out there to help you get results, but you must look into them now. Don’t wait until Jan. 2. Make sure you find someone that is available for help when you have questions, someone who is able to fire you up when you are feeling low, and offer alternatives to exercises that may seem uncomfortable or too strenuous for you. Find a program that is all about you and what you need.

Okay, here is the bottom line to your success, and it’s not rocket science - you just have to be patient with yourself.
We are not at 100 percent of our best all of the time; your best will change moment by moment. If you are not patient and caring with yourself as you try to change your behavior, you will become frustrated and fail.

Always see yourself as your own best friend. You wouldn’t take them out back and shoot them at the first sign of falling off the exercise wagon, so why do it to yourself? The best thing to do in the event of a fall-off is to run like mad and jump back on. After all, it took you 30, 40, or even 50 or more years to create the behaviors you have now; change is hard under the best of all situations.

You can make 2007 the year of you by becoming your own biggest fan. Don’t compete with magazine covers or other people when judging your own successes. You only need to challenge yourself to be doing your best. You have the opportunity to make a fresh start on positive behavior change each and every day, moment by moment.

New Year’s Eve is a great time to look forward to a fresh start, but every day has the same importance if you set it up that way. Throw away all your excuses with your empty champagne bottles and make 2007 your year.

Stacey Neil is the Co-Founder of TotalFit Solutions. For more information, go to www.totalfitsolutions.com or contact Stacey at: staceyneil@totalfitsolutions.com.