We are approaching that time of year where we all are thinking about making a positive change in our lives.  Every year, on January 1st, millions of people are resolving to quit smoking, start exercising more, make more time for the kids, etc, etc.  Gyms, fitness facilities, and personal training studios are always packed with people until the end of February or the first of March.  Why do these resolution often go by the wayside?  Why can’t many resolvers stick with their plan?

Part of the problem is how many of these resolutions are approached.  Goals are set in response to something negative. i.e- stop smoking.  By setting a more positive and broader goal, long-term success is more viable.  Instead of saying “I want to stop smoking”, say “I want to start living a healthier lifestyle.”  This encompasses every aspect of your living habits, including smoking.  By limiting it to only smoking, you are continuing other unhealthy habits that may lead back to smoking.

Also, lack of planning is another detriment to the success of a resolution.  Plan incremental goals to go with the lifestyle change.  Reward yourself with these smaller goals.

All in all, it is up to you to create the opportunities to acheive your resolutions.  Positive planning, tenacity,  and looking at the “big picture” is vital in sticking with your program and not looking back on the negative behaviors.

Establishing specific and measurable goals can have a dramatic influence on the outcome of your fitness program.  Doing so will exponentially increase the effectiveness of your program and give you insight on how your body responds along the way.  Remember- The goals that you establish will be customized to you as an individual.  Do not compare yourself to anyone else.  Goals should be designed to reflect short term (12 weeks) outcomes and long term (6 months) outcomes.

Periodic physical assessment is vital to this process.  A thorough assessment should include body fat, flexibility, height, weight, circumference measurements, resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, muscular endurance, muscular strength, and any other more specific test.  The assessment process should be repeated every 2-4 months depending on the program and the individual.  At this time, the program is reevaluated and adjusted to reflect any changes.  

You should entrust a qualified personal trainer to assist in defining your goals and guidance on how to realistically reach them.  A “good” personal trainer has trained many clients and has seen how different people respond to a similar program with different results.  This is quite often a time when many will give up, but a trainer can adjust a training program to best address any roadblock along the way.