2006 Fitness Resolutions: How to Keep Them

The holiday season is full of temptations for your taste buds, so there’s no surprise that many of us want to turn over a new leaf once the New Year arrives. Here are some fitness resolutions that crystallize in your mind every time you usher in a New Year:

Set Realistic Goals
Sure you want to slip into that itsy bitsy bikini by February, but is that realistic? You’ll then have to burn 3,500 calories more than you take in to lose a single pound. If it takes 40 minutes of moderately-intensive activity to burn 350 calories, this means 10 days of continuous cardiovascular workouts to lose that pound.

“Take baby steps,” advises Michael George, a celebrity fitness trainer and advisor to several clients in Los Angeles. “Time is a big issue for the people who lead busy lives. Stick to a realistic goal—make a strong commitment and be consistent about your workout routine and in your eating patterns.”

A realistic goal could be to do a cardiovascular workout three times a week, and add strength training elements twice or three times a week. If you’re more ambitious, exercise 4-5 times a week.

Vary your workout routine
Routine can often mean boredom, and ultimately can result in lack of motivation to pursue one’s goals. It is very important to weave variety into your workout. “Don’t do the same exercise over and over again,” says George.

Derek Noble, the author of The Body Noble, advises enthusiasts to find the workouts they love. “Draw on your own motivational force and find out what you like doing,” he says. “whether it is Pilates or swimming. You can even do 2,000 steps a day. Break your routine up.”

Find a Fitness Buddy
If you get into a slump, a fitness buddy should step in like Superman or Superwoman and rescue you. Find a partner that will help you keep your goals in check, will nag you to go running (even in the rain, before you’ve had your cup of coffee), and will rescue you from Slumpville. He or she should help you be accountable (and vice versa).

“Schedule appointments with a photographer every six months, if you’re comfortable with the idea,” says Noble. “By saying you’re committing to a photo shoot, it makes you feel responsible to show up and look your best.” Write down your goals—short term and long term—and share them with your fitness buddy and keep track of them. If your short term goal is say, to lose thirty pounds, then your short term goal could be to lose ten pounds in a month and a half.

Support groups are also available online and over the phone. “I go over fitness goals with my clients over the phone,” says Noble, “I’ll call them up to find out how they’ve been doing and what can be improved.” There’s nothing like talking to another human being to help you keep motivated, to keep you going.

For more tips, visit www.michaelgeorge.com and www.bodynoble.com.