Senior Sneakers: New Year's resolution, take 2

You thought I was done harping on the new year’s resolution kick? Nope! So many people set a new year’s resolution at the beginning of January and the novelty has worn off by the beginning of February. If this sounds like you, then this article will help you get back on track. Or if you’re thinking, “I should have set a new year’s resolution this year, but it’s really too late now.” This article will help you set one now, because it’s never too late!

Although a new year’s resolution is typically set at the beginning of the year, it should really be a New You Resolution, which means you can make the decision to live a better and healthier life anytime! Here are a few things that you can do to get back on track with your New You Resolution or get on track with a new one now:

Start with “Why.” Simon Sinek wrote a book with this title and it stems from the need to identify our true motivations before we can move on to the “How” and the “What.” For instance, if you want to lose weight, identify why you want to lose weight before you look at what you’re going to do and how you’ll do it. So your “Why” is behind the losing weight. Is it because you feel more comfortable with less weight on your body? Or because the doctor told you that you need to? Do you want to live longer to see your grandchildren grow up? Or do you want more energy to run around with them? Losing weight is a slow moving process, so you need to keep your true motivation in front of you in order to keep the process going. Write it down and post it on your refrigerator, your bathroom mirror or in your car. Always keep it in front of you.

Focus on the small wins. It’s easy to get caught up in a setback and say, “I can’t do this!” You’re going to encounter setbacks, so know that they’re coming and focus on the wins instead. Set a goal of how many times you want to make it to the gym each week and write it down next to your “Why.” Make it reasonable as you’re just starting out, so you can record the wins and not set your sights too high in the beginning. As you reach your smaller wins, you’ll find the inherent motivation to increase your goals and your wins, confidence and results will get greater!

Tell everyone about your lifestyle change. Whether you buddy up for workouts or you’re going at it alone, tell everyone about the changes you’re making! Accountability is king here. Hold yourself accountable and, by telling everyone else, you’ll feel more accountable to them when they ask you how it’s going. People will celebrate your wins with you and you may even inspire people to make their own changes along the way.

By keeping these things in mind as you begin or refocus your change, you’ll increase your chances of success! If you need help with any of it, our personal trainers at Anytime Fitness, Winter Park can help you along the way. We help set people, like you, up for success when they join by offering each new member a complimentary personal training session and fitness assessment, a complimentary assessment with a health coach and a free customized 30-day Get Started workout plan. We’re a coaching club and our focus is on you.

We hope to help you reach your New You Resolution in 2016, whether through our articles, support in the club or through personal coaching.

Patrick McGaha Jr., member experience manager at Anytime Fitness, Winter Park, is dedicated to building a welcoming environment in the club, conducive to helping members and clients reach their health fitness goals. To get your fitness and nutrition related questions answered by a certified personal trainer, or for a free personal training session, call us at 321-972-5833 or email [email protected].