Like many people this time of year, you might start to reflect on the past year and see how you did. You might assess whether you met your goals or whether it was another year of disappointments.
You also might contemplate what the upcoming year might bring. Will it be better than the past year? Will I make plans and actually accomplish them? Where do I want to be by the end of next year?
All of these are reasonable questions to ask. Planning and reflecting is a great way to make informed decisions. It also will give you a sense of direction, purpose and accomplishment. It will help you to evaluate failures and create a strategy to not make the same mistakes again.
If you have been reading the Canton Fitness Center articles for a while, you know that I am a big proponent of goal setting. Without making a plan, you are planning to fail. Let’s get you ready to face 2015 head-on!
Figure out where your plan got derailed. Maybe you had a “wish” but no solid plan. Maybe you got off to a good start, but got sidetracked by the stresses of life. Possibly you did well for a while, but got bored or something else came up and you jumped ship. For some, there might have been unexpected illnesses or circumstances that were uncontrollable. For others, there is no other excuse but, “I got tired and lazy”. What happened with you? Once you know where you went wrong, you can make some attempt to realign and get going again.
Get ready to go. First, set a reasonable, measurable goal. Even though most people think of their “New Year’s Resolution” as losing weight, it could be as simple as making a commitment to eat healthier. Let’s even make that more specific, “I am going to eat fewer processed foods and more vegetables.”
Now, figure out how you are going to do that. What is that going to mean for your life? What are you going to have to give up? Eating less processed foods will translate into making more meals at home from scratch. It will mean fewer frozen, boxed and convenience foods. It might mean you have to learn how to cook. It will require more time in the kitchen planning and preparing meals. It will definitely mean fewer chicken nuggets, fast-food meals, and absolutely less “junk food”. Are you willing to do that? Is it realistic? Is it worth it to you?
Eating more vegetables might mean shopping more frequently for fresh produce and it might mean learning to like new things. It could quite possibly seem like it is going to cost more in food to eat better, but ponder the tradeoffs and benefits.
When you make a plan, always make a “Pro and Con” list. What are the benefits and what are the costs. So, if eating less processed food and more vegetables is your goal, what are the “Pros”? Fewer empty calories, more nutrients, fewer preservatives, more fiber, better health, more energy, possibly weight loss and less money spent on junk food, fast food and soda. If your health improves that might mean fewer trips to the doctor, a reduction in medication, able to do more physical activity, fewer aches and pains, etc. Make your own list.
What about the “Cons”? More trips to the store for produce, more planning and preparing for meals, less junk food, more money spent on vegetables and meat, learning to cook, learning to like vegetables, getting the family to eat this way, etc. What kinds of things might stand in your way or be a problem?
If the “Pro” list is longer and the reasons are motivating, then do it. Be prepared for some challenges, but stick to it. If the “Con” list is longer and the reasons are valid, then that is not a worthwhile goal at this time. At least you gave it some thought before it became another failed attempt.
If anything related to healthy eating or exercise is on you goal list, the Canton Fitness Center can help you implement. We offer nutrition guidance, natural health products, fitness supplements, individualized training programs, group fitness training and more. Make 2015 the year that you can look back on and say “I did it”.