Making your health goals stick

The new year has, no doubt brought new health and fitness goals for many of us. It is a great opportunity to "start fresh" and renew your commitment to your health. The challenge can be that once the motivation of a new year wears off....sometimes on January 2ND, what are you left with? You are left with your reason why you are committed to being healthy, your vision of your body and your health. Just 10 days into the new year, I have already spoken to people who "put off" or "re-adjusted" or all together stopped their quest for health that they were so fired up about a couple weeks ago. Why is that? Lets start with why it's not not? It's not because they are lazy, or undisciplined or lack the will power. They and you have the will power to do many things that they don't necessarily want to do. and, they do them anyway for one simple reason......because they are clear as to why they would do them and what will happen if they do and if they don't.
To set yourself up for success with your health goals it is important to have a solid plan, like you would with any goals. First, figure out why this is important to you and spend some time with it. your reason should be personal and specific. For example, I want to lose 20 pounds may be enough until you are at a party and they have your favorite cake for dessert. On the other had, I want to lose 20 pounds, drop 5% body fat and be able to run 3 miles so that I have the energy to play with my kids may be enough to make that cake look a lot less appealing. Then, have a solid plan of action for the long term and seek support if you don't have one. do whatever works for you to stay motivated and remind yourself of why you are doing this. Write your goals out and hang them up, make a health vision board, or get a coach or accountability partner. We also encourage our clients to come up with challenges for themselves like singing up for a bike race, a run, or some other physical challenge. I do this to motivate myself also. I am running a race in February here in NY and working towards a marathon. What would be a challenge for you that would add some extra drive toward meeting your health goals?