7 easy Ways For Your Own Fitness Revolution

By: Karolina Starczak                 Jan 01, 2010

 As gyms everywhere fill up with fitness hopefuls, how can you keep your New Year’s goal from fizzing out like yesterday’s champagne? If your only plan is to drop (insert desired number) pounds, you may not have what it takes to succeed past that one month trial membership. Try 7 easy ways to plan ahead and to turn that resolution into your own fitness revolution.


Jog Down Memory Lane
Before you hop on a treadmill blasting the infamous Rocky montage, take a look back at all your previous attempts to get in shape. Why didn’t they work and what stood in your way of success?  Jot down any past fitness mistakes, obstacles, and possible solutions to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself.


Inspire to Perspire
Sticky notes can hold more than reminders to pick up the dry cleaning. Why not write down inspirational messages that you see or hear during the day and make you own motivation collage. Brief notes from your favorite blogs or songs can make all the difference when thoughts of quitting start to take over.


Set the Date

We set meetings and appointments with coworkers and doctors, so why not set some

fitness meetings in your calendar? Set aside time on a daily basis that’s

committed to reaching your goals. Whether it’s a workout, or time to cut up

veggies for healthy snacks during the week, saving a little bit of time will

help set a routine. Before you know it, those daily fitness dates will lead to a

healthy long-term relationship.

Slip Up Plan
Mistakes are inevitable, but that one cookie doesn’t have to turn into an all-you-can-eat buffet. Create a plan with step by step instructions to prevent one incident from sabotaging your whole routine. Let’s say you ate one too many h'orderves at a friend’s gathering. If your plan says to wake up early the next day do yoga for 30 minutes then forget the guilt and stick to the plan.


Bribe and Reward
Health may be our number one priority, but a little something extra for not skipping a workout in three weeks doesn’t hurt. It’s silly to believe that wanting to be healthy will always overpower mom’s homemade lasagna, which is why rewards and bribes are key. Set weekly goals along with small rewards to stay on track, but try to avoid too many high-calorie rewards.


Backing Buddy
They say one is the loneliest number, but it also probably has the hardest time fulfilling New Year’s resolutions.  Having a little support can help overcome obstacles and keep you on track. A little competition isn’t always a bad thing either—especially if you like to win. You don’t even have to go far, find support from other readers and swap stories right here on our forums.