Give yourself the best chance for success in 2012

Are you finally ready to make the scale drop in 2012?  Do you feel sluggish, your clothes don’t fit like they used to, and you would like to feel healthy and fit?  Have you made a New Years Resolution to finally make time and lose a few (or more) pounds?

92% of all New Years Resolutions end in failure.  Millions of Americans will hit the gym and be all about fitness for the first few weeks of January.. maybe the first two months.. and then stop.

Why?

They don’t plan for success.  They don’t have the accountability to keep going, clear goals before them, and most importantly a plan of action on how to get there.

If you have a SMART goal, accountability, support from friends and family, a plan on how to get there, and the drive to achieve your goal, you can be part of the 8% who actually follow through this year!

Are you ready?

1. Write down your goal.  Go ahead, do it now!  Statistics show that people who write down their goals have an 80% higher success rate of achieving them.  Make sure your goal is SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time bound).

Rather than say “I want to lose 30 pounds by June”, commit to exercising 3 – 4 times per week and mark the days on your calendar with what type of workout you will be doing.  I like to put “legs day” or “3 mile run + abs” on the calendar so I know exactly what I will be doing.

Rather than say “I won’t eat any more sweets”, commit to something attainable.  Give up soda at lunch, or pick one day out of the week that you stop eating gluten and dairy.  Or – add something.  Commit to eating at least one salad every day.

2. Makeover your mindset.  You’ve moved on from thinking “It’s impossible to lose the weight” to “Maybe I could actually do this”.  Brainstorm potential issues and find a solution for them before you even get started.  

What hasn’t worked in the past?  Did you try to get in shape alone?  Did you not have a plan for what to do at the gym?  Figure out the mistakes that didn’t work and make a plan that will work this time!

3. Write down a plan.  Outline what changes you are going to make in your life with fitness, nutrition, sleep, stress, quitting bad habits (like smoking, eating late at night), and any goals you have for 2012.  

Really take time to think about what is important to you and the steps you are willing to take to get there.  Remember – don’t do them all at once!  Be part of the 8% and make a plan for change.

4. Take ACTION!!  Find a fitness/nutrition program that is right for you.  Look for an environment that is supportive, challenging, and a complete program that includes everything you need.  Go ahead and sign up.  Once you do, you will already feel a sense of accomplishment! Sign up for our 6 Week Body Transformation Challenge!

5. Take your goals (written in step 1) and your plan of action (written in step 3) and put them in a place you will see every day.  

Don’t skip this step, because it is very important!!  Read your goals once in the morning, and before bed at night.  It will make a big difference if you do this!  (I can bet those 92% are not doing this.)

6. Visualize yourself achieving your goal.  See yourself crossing the finish line at the race, or fitting into a special dress or pair of slacks without holding in your breath.  Remember what you are working so hard for!  

Many professional and Olympic athletes consider this just as important as their daily training.  Studies have actually shown that elite athletes who spend more time practicing visualization techniques actually performed better in competition!

Here is a short worksheet you can use to help you set your goals.  I send this to all of our boot camp members when they begin our program included in their Bay View Boot Camp Manual.

Now, decide what steps you need to take to achieve your goal. (list 3 plans of action)

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________

What hasn’t worked in the past?

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________

What will you do different this time?

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

Your Action Plan:

What is it? ____________________________________________________________

When is your start date? ___________________________________________________

Why did you choose this as your goal? _________________________________________

Who are you sharing it with? _______________________________________________

What is your time frame (finish line)? _________________________________________

Hint: Don’t use try or can’t, use “will & can”. Create positive words and actions!

Success will come with a plan. Sit down, take time to do the steps above, and commit to it by writing it down in your calendar. Make it REALITY.  How many times have you had the same New Year’s Resolution?  Now is the time to succeed.  You can make this happen!

Are you looking for a nutrition and fitness program to fulfill your New Years Resolution?  Join us for our 6 Week Body Transformation Challenge!  You will receive unlimited workouts, accountability from me (and your partner), a list of everything to get at the grocery store, and recipes to make every night.  Take action NOW and sign up before the Early Bird window ends on December 31st!!

Committed to your health and fitness success for a healthy 2012!
Laura

[fblike style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]

5. Avoid the holiday bulge.  On average, Americans will put on 8-12 pounds during the holidays that are difficult to get off.  Don’t let that be you!!

4. Increase your energy level.  Spend an hour on YOU exercising (you deserve it!!), and you will find yourself with TONS more energy that you can give to your family during the busiest time of year.  It is worth it!!

3. Improve your health.  Lowered cholesterol, blood pressure, better joint mobility and LOTS of other health benefits are associated with exercise.  Exercise has been responsible for many of my clients lowering or even removing themselves off of medications.  OF COURSE consult your doctor before starting an exercise regimen and most importantly before any medication changes.

2.  Be in a better mood.  You feel AWESOME after a great workout – which makes you feel better about yourself the rest of the day.  Lower your stress level and get in the holiday spirit this year by exercising at least 2-3 times per week!

1. Look great and feel great at your holiday parties!!  Ring in the New Year feeling and looking your best.  Don’t wait until 2012 to get started on your New Year’s resolutions!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to stay motivated to exercise during the holidays.

– Reward yourself with new exercise clothes for keeping up with your workouts and/or reaching a goal!

– Sign up for the Turkey Trot or Jingle Bell Run with your family and friends.

– Find an exercise/running buddy to hold you accountable during the holiday season.

– Go for a walk or toss around the football with your family after a big meal. This is a tradition in the Forte family. :)

– Ask for a personal training package or boot camp package for Christmas!

I hope this gave you a few new ways to stay motivated during the holiday season.

*Action* – Please let us know what works for YOU by commenting below or onour Facebook page.