It's that time of year when people make New Year's resolutions, many of which are related to their health. Popular choices include losing weight, eating healthier, exercising, and quitting smoking. Losing weight is usually the first priority, but it is also the most difficult to achieve.
By the time the new year arrives, many people have heard the old adage, "I'll start my diet on Monday." In fact, many people had made that promise to themselves 52 times by the end of December.
- Where you're going
- Why do you want to go there?
- What difficulties you may encounter along the way
- How you intend to overcome the difficulties
Learn the secret to success.
New Year's resolutions are simple to make, but difficult to keep. You must spend time preparing and planning to turn your resolution into an actual solution. There is no magic button to press to keep a resolution. Creating a structured health plan is the first step toward success.
Your health plan should include the following components:
Make a health vision.
The next step is to visualise your objectives. Consider what a healthy future might look like for you. Condense your thoughts into a single, succinct statement: your health vision.
While there are numerous approaches to writing a health vision, one popular format is: "I want to ______, so ."
A health vision could be something like, "I want to lose weight so I can have more energy to enjoy life."
"I want to be physically fit so that I am not out of breath while playing with my grandchildren."
"I want to strike a better balance between my work and personal life so that I can devote more time to myself and my family."
Set SMART objectives.
After you've recorded your health vision, goals can help you stay focused. Achieving set goals provides a sense of accomplishment as well as much-needed motivation to fuel your health journey.
Remember the acronym SMART when setting goals:
Specific: What exactly am I going to do?
To begin, you must have a specific plan in place. Spend time designing and researching.
Measurable: How will I be able to track my progress?
"I'd like to lose some weight," you might say. However, it would be preferable if you stated, "I want to lose 50 pounds in four months."
Achievable: How will I go about making this happen?
Set a reasonable goal. 50 pounds may be achievable with the right weight-loss programme. Inquire about the program's average weight loss among participants after one year. You may need to set a smaller, more attainable goal depending on the programme and its weight loss approach.
Relevance: Is this important enough for me to do?
Consider yourself fortunate. Only positive reinforcement causes behaviour to change. Remember that there are programmes available to assist you in reaching your goal.
Timetable: When will I complete this?
Set a specific deadline. There is nothing magical about starting on January 1. It is preferable to choose a date when you have a plan in place.
Your SMART goals should include both long-term and short-term objectives. First, determine your long-term goal. A long-term goal might be, "I will walk briskly for 30 minutes each day, at least five days a week."
However, if you haven't been exercising regularly, you may need to set intermediate, short-term goals. "I will walk 15 minutes during my lunch hour at least three days a week for the next month," for example. After achieving your short-term goal, gradually increase your efforts until you reach your long-term goal.
Accept challenges and persevere.
Almost everyone will face obstacles on their path to better health. It could be a busy family life, work, school, medical issues, or peer pressure to keep bad habits going. As part of an effective health plan, it is critical to identify potential challenges and plan strategies to address them.
A network of family and friends can support and collaborate with you. Consider keeping a health journal to record your activities and accomplishments, which will help you stay motivated and accountable.
Here are a few more success tips:
Face your temptations.
To achieve your weight-loss goals, you will need to change your environment. Get rid of any food that will not help you achieve your goal — this should be part of your preparation.
Inform your friends.
Changing your habits for the better may have an impact on your social circle. Inform them of your intentions and solicit their assistance in achieving your goal.
Remember the prize.
Make a list of your motivations for wanting to lose weight. When there are no compelling reasons to change, it is easy to revert to old habits.
Prepare yourself for a setback.
Give yourself a second chance. Most people make mistakes at some point. Successful people are those who can get back on track. Consider how many days are left in the calendar year and what you can accomplish before the year is out. Never give up.
Make a commitment.
Changes in lifestyle should not be taken lightly. Prioritize your health.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle is a continuous and dynamic process. Use the new year to kickstart your journey to a healthier lifestyle.
Disclaimer: This material, including advice, provides general information only for educational purposes. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more details. fittofitter.com does not claim responsibility for this information.
