Wait… it’s already January 18?!?!?

Wow, what an incredibly busy week I had! Not only did I launch my blog, but I was also blessed with the most clients I have ever had in a one-week span! By last night, exhaustion, but most of all thankfulness and waves of gratitude overwhelmed me.

I created a Fitness Challenge last year for the gym I work at. It is goal based to encourage anyone with a New Years Resolution related to health and fitness to join. I’d say 99% of the time NYR’s are weight loss related. Too many gyms forget about that small population who has a fitness goal in mind that is not weight loss. What about those who want to run a half marathon this spring? Learn how to keep a food journal? Increase their strength to do those scary exercises like Pull Ups?! J Last year it was a new program to a decently new gym, we had about 18 people participate. Not bad for the programs inaugural year. This year we doubled our number to about 38 participants and still going strong! How awesome is that?! Makes my insides feel goodJ

We also wait until the middle of January to even start the fitness challenge, because at this point… people tend to forget they even made a NYR. Ok, by now you may have figured out the whole point of this blog posting:

HEY YOU! It’s already January 18!! Have you even started your NYR yet?? Or if you have, are you still Resolutioning? Not a word I know, but it fits so wellJ

Most NYR programs last a couple months because we are trying to get the participant to create a habit. I meet with my challengers a minimum of three times, one time per month, while they are in the challenge. At the beginning we set three goals that are realistic, attainable, and achievable in 8 weeks. I encourage them accept and acknowledge road blocks that will get in their way and set goals which will help them hurdle those road blocks. From here they are guided through nutrition and exercise to meet each of those goals. Each time we meet we go over those goals, discuss their progress, and what has been difficult to overcome. Just sitting down and verbally telling someone what you struggle with is a huge step for anyone trying to accomplish something.

Why do I like creating a NYR? Because it is essential to set healthy goals for yourself. Not only when it comes to fitness, but for life.  But don’t let the New Year be the only time you create goals. A NYR is the perfect way to start your year off setting goals and creating a snowball effect to keep setting goals for yourself throughout the year. What are you struggling with? Your weight? The way you view yourself? Using food as a coping mechanism? Getting to the gym? Negativity?

Where do we begin?

There are two different types of goals, short term and long term. Make sure you know the difference between the two!! If one of your goals is to lose 50 lbs, that would not be a short-term goal!! It takes time to lose weight, especially if you do it the right and healthy way (ok a whole other blog subject).  A good short-term goal to lose those 50 lbs would be, go to the gym 4 days a week for the next 3 months. If you set a goal you can achieve weekly/monthly, the results will come in the long run.

I am really skimming the surface when it comes to setting these goals. But it is oh so essential!!! Too often we put our dreams and goals on the back burner and lose ourselves in our jobs, family, bad attitudes, and so on. I am constantly telling my clients, remember, you can’t take care of your family if you don’t take care of yourself too. Take a look at your life. Are you happy? Are you healthy? How do I get happy and healthy? Set goals that will get you there.

If you feel like every time you set a goal you fail, then change your approach. Set very small, simple, and exceptionally short-term weekly goals. Every Sunday give yourself a pep talk. Figure out your weekly goal and write it down where you will always see it. Here are some examples of weekly goals:

• ·      Do 30 minutes of cardio 4 days this week
• ·      Pack my lunch 3 days
• ·      Eat three servings of veggies 4 days this week
• ·      Do 5 push ups and 15 sit ups during the commercials of my favorite tv show
• ·      Pray before bed
• ·      Give yourself two compliments every day before work

Life is too short. Learn to love yourself and live happy and healthy. We all have our demons we struggle with daily. Reach out to your friends and family for support. Find a personal trainer for accountability. Find an exercise class you enjoy! Learn to cook healthy!

What are your goals for 2014??

My prayer for you is to live a FIT FABULOUS LIFE!

-SLR