What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

The New Year is upon us! And what a way to start off the New Year with fresh new goals! Each year many people set a goal for themselves on what they want to accomplish in the next year.

Here are the top 10 New Years resolutions:

1. Spend more time with friends and family
2. Follow a regular fitness regime
3. Lose that excess weight
4. Quit smoking
5. Enjoy life more
6. Quit drinking
7. Get out of debt
8. Learn something new
9. Help others
10. Get organized

What are your New Years Resolutions?! Post them to the comments!

New Year’s resolutions are great, but there is a problem with them… they sound so good in December and we work so hard to set up an action plan, because “this is the year that I am going to stick to them”, you tell yourself.  Each year 40% – 45% of adults make one or more resolutions or goals for themselves. Research shows that 75% make it past the first week, and 46% make it past 6 months. Now while a lot of people break there resolutions, statistics on New Year’s resolutions show that setting goals for yourself is still good because you are 10 times more likely to attain your goal, rather than people who don’t explicitly make goals.

How do I follow through with these goals and not become a statistic? Check out the steps below to help you out:

1. Be realistic: The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. For instance, resolving to never eat your favorite food again could be a bad choice. Strive for a goal that is attainable, such as avoiding it more often than you do now.
2. Plan ahead: Don’t make your resolution on New Year’s Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be planned well before December 31 arrives… A little too late for that. I hope you have them all planned out already.
3. Outline your plan: Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip that exercise class or overindulged in your favourite treat. This could include calling on a friend for help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk, or reminding yourself how your bad habit affects your goals.
4. Make a “pro” and “con” list: It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve.
5. Talk about it: Don’t keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health. The best case scenario is to find yourself a buddy who shares your New Year’s resolution and motivate each other.
6. Reward yourself: This doesn’t mean that you can eat an entire box of chocolates if your resolution is to diet. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something that you enjoy that does not contradict your resolution.
7. Track your progress: Keep track of each small success you make toward reaching your larger goal. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will help keep you motivated. Keeping a journal may help you stay on track.
8. Don’t beat yourself up: Obsessing over the occasional slip won’t help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take each day one at a time.
9. Stick to it: Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity, such as exercising, to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. Your new healthful habits will become second-nature in no time.
10. Keep trying: If your resolution has totally run out of steam by mid-February, don’t despair. Start over again! There’s no reason you can’t make a “New Year’s resolution” any time of year.

At CrossFit Zone we work with you to help you reach these goals and make yourself accountable for them.  To help you out, this year we are going to have a board up in the gym where everyone can right down their goals. If you and everyone sees them everyday, you are more likely to follow through with them.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ZONERS!

On New Years Day, a group of us are meeting up at the base of Mount Finlayson (Entrance at Goldstream) for a hike/run, @ 1:00pm. Who wants to come???? Post in the comments. If you have any questions call my cell 250.893.0112