New Year’s Resolution Time.

WOOHOO.

Not really.  I myself think this whole resolution thing is a joke.  I can’t recall ever waiting until New Year’s to decide to change something about myself.  Seems like a bad time of year to try since over 90% of people that make a New Year’s resolution give up within the first couple of months.

But I know most of you will probably make one anyway.  So if you are going to make a New Year’s Resolution, make sure that it is S.M.A.R.T.  By that I mean make sure that your goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound.

Specific. Don’t just say that you want to lose weight or eat healthier.  Be specific as possible for what you want to accomplish.  Instead say that you want to lose 20 pounds, drop 2 dress sizes or eat 5 servings of  fruits and vegetables a day.

I’m down 20 lbs and 2 dress sizes.

Measurable. Make sure whatever your goal is that you can measure and keep track of your progress.  Seeing where you are from where you started can help motivate you to keep going or tell you where you need to change things.

Another 2 inches!

Attainable.  The Biggest Loser may be your motivation to lose weight but shouldn’t be where you bet your goals from. Losing 100+ lbs in 3 months is NOT possilbe for anyone who’s diet and exercise program in not monitored 24/7.  Instead pick a goal of losing 1 to 2 lbs a week and keep at that until you reach a weight that you are satisfied with.

Then shoot for another 5 lbs.

Relevant. If you are a already thin and don’t eat a lot but still have a slight tummy losing 5 more lbs probably isn’t going to help you much.  Shoot for getting those stomach and hip muscles stronger and figuring out what part your diet needs to change.

No cutting calories and doing more cardio is not the answer for you.

Time Bound. After you have all the above components squared away set a time that you want to reach you goals.  As mentioned above this could be as little as losing 1-2 lbs a week or as much as losing 50 lbs and looking damn good in that bikini for that 10th anniversary vacation to Hawaii in February 2011.

Try not to draw too much attention to yourself.  You will be getting enough.

So when you find yourself at 11:59pm December 31st thinking of your resolution make sure it contains all the variables listed above.  This alone will help you reach your goal and still successfully be working on it come March.

What’s you resolution going to be?  Need help coming up with one or need tips on how you can reach it? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Your friend and trainer,

Paul