Extreme New Year's Resolutions

Are your resolutions out of control?

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. Vowing to get up every morning to exercise when you're not a morning person or promising never to eat sweets again only sets you up for failure.

Another pitfall? Not having a plan to achieve your goals. When you make a vague statement to get fit or eat healthy, but don't figure out exactly what you're doing wrong and how to change it, you're doomed to fail. Another nail in the coffin comes when you try to change too many bad habits at once. Too much change too soon can be overwhelming and you may revert to your old behavior. Rather than chuck the idea of resolutions altogether, why not make a plan that will actually work?

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 I've heard from clients, friends and, (sadly) myself and then look at some alternatives to those extreme resolutions:

1. I will got to the gym every single day, even though I haven't been once in the last six months.
   Instead: I will choose a reasonable number of days to go to the gym (i.e., 2-3 days a week) or maybe I'll cancel the gym membership and try something else.
2. I will stop using my treadmill as an extra closet (so that's where that blouse went) and get started on that marathon training schedule I've been reading about.
   Instead: I'll set a goal to use my treadmill a certain number of times a week. I'll make sure I have some good music or a TV show to watch to keep me motivated.
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.
   Instead: 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 4 a.m. boot camp class, even though I haven't gotten up that early in...well, ever.
   Instead: 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 not eat sweets at work, no matter who's birthday is or how good that chocolate cake looks. In fact, I'm never eating sweets again.
   Instead: I'll make a rule for myself that I can only have sweets one day a week (say, Fridays). I'll tell everyone in the office to keep me on track.
6. I will cook nutritious meals every night and calculate my calories so I know exactly what I'm eating. I will begin using tofu and making my own rice.
   Instead: I'll buy a healthy cookbook and try making one new recipe each month.
7. I will do a hundred crunches a day - no, TWO hundred!
   Instead: 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.
   Instead: 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.
   Instead: 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!