 Getting Yourself Back on Track to Healthy Goals and Lifestyles! Okay, how are those New Year's resolutions holding up?? Are you still making regular trips to the gym, keeping your weight-management goals on track, and eating healthy, nutritious meals? No?? You are not alone. This is about the time of year we have lost our will to stick to the tough guidelines and promises we set for ourselves in the wee hours of the morning of January 1. (I know, some of you are saying "I haven't been adhering to my resolutions since January 3rd...") Well, it is time to get back on track. With the warmer weather headed our way and the fresh produce that will be available in abundance soon enough, you can hop back on the wagon and achieve success! Be sure you are setting realistic and attainable goals. Trying to lose too much weight in a short period of time, or attempting to get to the gym 7 days a week is unrealistic and ultimately frustrating. * Instead of adding another day to your workout regimen, try adding 10-15 minutes to your existing workout. Or if time is a factor rather than motivation, increase the intensity of your workout on the days that you are exercising. Add some power intervals or increase your weights to really challenge your body. That might give you the jolt you need. * If watching your weight and calories is too difficult to do all the time, pick one meal a day at which you are very careful to select healthy, moderately sized portions. Be mindful about what you eat for that one meal and you might find that the mindfulness carries over to other meals. * Be proud of the small changes you are making. Remember that you are trying to adopt new ways of eating or exercising, new habits that you can modify and continue for a lifetime. Don't let a "slip up" set you back in your efforts. If you have a bad day (or week) don't let that stop you from continuing to work toward your goals. If you allow yourself to stop trying because you didn't adhere to your plan, you will start a downward spiral. Acknowledge your lapse, regain your focus and try again. Rethink your resolutions, devise a workable strategy and get yourself back on track! Try to determine what aspects of your resolutions gave you trouble. Were you too ambitious in your goals? Perhaps you forgot how busy your schedule would become after the New Year. Did you try to follow a diet that was too limiting in its appeal? Did you just find that you lost your motivation? Now that you have an opportunity to better evaluate what caused you to stray from the goals you established for yourself, perhaps you can incorporate some new strategies for moving forward. * Find an exercise or activity that you enjoy! A promise to get to the gym made by someone who hates exercising indoors is bound to get broken. *Be sure that your schedule includes time for you to exercise just as you would schedule a regular appointment. Additionally, if you are not a morning person don't expect that you will get up regularly and exercise. It just won't happen. * Don't cut out foods that you love and force yourself to eat foods that you dislike. You can eat healthy satisfying meals with a variety of choices and still lose weight or get the necessary vitamins you need. If you have to have chocolate or a glass of wine, you can do so, but in moderation!! Better to have a little than to deprive yourself and overindulge later! For those of you who have stuck to your goals and stayed on course, keep up the good work! If you find that your motivation gets tested just stop, reevaluate and get yourself back on track! For the rest of us, think through what your goals are, be realistic in finding ways to achieve them and get going! You will be glad that you did!! © 2007 Elizabeth F. Haselkorn |