Making your New Year's resolution a success

With the New Year starting, the sounds of the jingle bells have stopped ringing and the holly has been put away. Typically, it is right about now, that we think about changing our lives. Ah - those New Year's Resolutions! To help you realize that you are not the only one who wants to lose weight and/or exercise more, there are ads everywhere - all of the newspapers and almost every television commercial promote every kind of weight loss gimmick and exercise equipment that will revolutionize your life!' Health related goals are the most popular resolutions at New Years.

While any time is a good time to start a change in your overall well being, the onset of the New Year is most inspiring! Although, experts would agree that resolutions made once a year have a tendency to become unsuccessful simply because it does not usually indicate that this is a lifestyle but rather a short term 'fix' to the holiday overeating. No one wants you to fail and everyone wants you to succeed! However, we cannot ignore this fact that is almost a custom, a ritual - even an American tradition to begin the New Year with new goals! As a way to make sure you succeed beyond January, here are a few helpful tips to help you get up and going on the path to wellness!

1. The best way to get started is to keep a fitness journal. Begin by making an entry listing five ways you would like to improve your overall health. Keep in mind, it is always best to start small and keep it reasonable. Planning to do a marathon in the Spring is not a reasonable goal! If you have never kept a fitness journal, just begin with book calendar type entries, logging your food intake and exercise. Remember - it truly is a combination of diet and exercise. By 'diet', this does not mean that you 'go on a diet', but rather your diet is what you consume on a daily basis. By keeping a journal, it makes you aware and mindful of what you eat, what you do and perhaps habits you may have established and perhaps need to break!

2. Even though you are beginning to think of this as a New Year's Resolution, think of it more as the beginning of a new lifestyle that will continue with you beyond January and well into the entire year which will then become a part of your life. Only limiting this to a 'resolution' is too much pressure and can set you up for failure. Typically by mid-January, these good intentions are abandoned because as women, we are inundated with obstacles - work, family, events, etc. If you think of this as a lifestyle then when things come up in your life, and they do and they will, you will not necessarily believe that you have failed. If you believe that you have failed, then it is unlikely that you will resume the next day and we will be talking about this next New Years!

There are a number of fitness centers, some on every corner! Pick three and call them to set up a time to gather more information such as fees, availability, and what the facility has to offer, based on what you are looking for as well as to meet those who will be helping you. Make your choice based on your personal goals and how this fitness facility can help you. This is a great step because you are beginning to put your goals into action. Good for you! Think of it as a partnership; you are submitting yourself to the experts. These experts will do most of the 'figuring out' for you. You have made a good first move. Take your fitness journal with you and allow the fitness experts to assist and coach you to meet your goals.

And finally, most importantly, do not be so hard on yourselves! That is why there are experts - to help you!!

These suggestions are not necessarily exhaustive. But it is a good start. In the meantime, there are so many websites that can encourage and keep your mind set in the lifestyle that you have committed to change, keep you motivated with great information or even get back on track. It is a simple as just getting started! Just get up and get going!

P.S. Type in your browser: "Top fitness facilities in Cleveland, Ohio!!!" and see what you get!!