Extreme New Year's Resolutions

How many times have you made New Year's resolutions? How many times have you succeeded? If you're like most people, you stuck with your new attitude for a while but, eventually, slid back into old behaviors in a few weeks.

One reason we do this is because we set unrealistic goals. Taking things to the extreme, say vowing to never eat chocolate again or promising to exercise every day without rest, may set you up for failure. This year, take a look at your goals and ask yourself: Are my resolutions out of control?

Extreme New Year's Resolutions

We all make extreme promises from time to time, telling ourselves we'll never drink again after a bad hangover or that we'll exercise for two hours to make up for a missed workout. New Year's resolutions work the same way. Take a look at some of the extreme resolutions we sometimes make and alternative ideas for more realistic goals:

1. I will go to the gym and workout every day.
   Alternative: I'll start with 3 days a week and gradually add more days as I get comfortable.
2. I will stop using my treadmill as an extra closet and start training for that Ironman Triathlon I've been reading about.
   Alternative: I'll set a goal to use my treadmill a certain number of times a week.
3. I will find those dumbbells I bought last year (maybe they're under the closet - er - treadmill) and use them for more than paperweights.
   Alternative: I'll buy a book or video about strength training or hire a trainer to teach me the best way to use my weights.
4. I will sign up for that daily 4 a.m. boot camp class, even though I haven't gotten up that early in...well, ever.
   Alternative: I'll find a time that works best with my schedule and choose a class based on what I like, not what I think I should do.
5. I will never eat sweets again.
   Alternative: I'll make a rule for myself that I can have sweets once a week to satisfy my sweet tooth without blowing my diet.
6. I will cook delicious, nutritious meals from scratch every night.
   Alternative: I'll buy a healthy cookbook and try making one new recipe each week or month.
7. I will do a hundred crunches a day - no, TWO hundred!
   Alternative: I'll educate myself about the best way to get flat abs and then figure out the best use of my time (Hint: it isn't doing 200 crunches).
8. I will stop consumption of all alcoholic beverages, fast food, desserts, chips, cookies and anything that tastes good. I will eat lettuce and lemon wedges and I will like it.
   Alternative: I'll choose one thing in my diet to focus on (e.g., eating a healthy breakfast, getting rid of sodas, etc.) and, when I've mastered that, I'll move on to something else.
9. I will tell my spouse that if he or she doesn't exercise with me, I'm getting a divorce.
   Alternative: I'll ask my spouse to exercise with me and hope for the best.

Making a New Year's Plan

Once you set more reasonable goals, focus on a specific plan to reach those goals. This checklist can help you choose your goals and work up a plan of attack.

The checklist will help you set short and long term goals as well as plan for any obstacles that may stand in your way. Deciding your strategy for getting past fitness obstacles ahead of time will increase your success rate.

When it comes to changing something in your life, there's nothing magical about a new year. It's important to remember that you can work on these changes throughout the year and what gets you there are the little things you do each day. Find some way to be healthy today and then do the same thing tomorrow...before you know it, you'll be well on your way. Happy New Year!