Fitness Carter

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

7 Ways to Make Your 2014 Fitness Resolutions Actually Stick - Glamour (blog)


Wednesday, 1/1/2014 at 2:47PM




Happy New Year! Did you make a health resolution for 2014? Lots of us come up with fitness goals that we want to accomplish in the upcoming year—and we can. That is, of course, if we can get 'em to stick first.


24-to-do-list




Mariska Breland[1] , founder of the Fuse Pilates Method[2] , tells her students that the first step is to get rid of the idea of "going big or going home"—you know, huge resolutions that may not be wholly realistic (like that you'll sport an American Gladiator body by the end of the year). Instead, she says, fitness goals should start small—that helps you build your fitness accomplishments, reduce the risk of injury, and stay focused. Here are some of her tips for doing so.


1. Commit to making exercise a habit. "For a new habit to stick, try to make a small change at first and set a routine," she says. "If you like to work out in the morning, set a time that ensures you'll do it every morning. Whether you’re walking, running, doing Pilates or yoga, schedule the activity into your daily routine. The more you repeat a habit, the more likely it is to stick."


2. Post your list of goals somewhere you'll see it. Stick it to your fridge, tape it to your mirror—the constant reminder will keep your goals fresh in your mind. "But you should also post your fitness accomplishments," Mariska says. "For example: 'I met my three-mile benchmark today.' It will keep you motivated and wanting to do more."


3. Work on one goal at a time. "If you want to eat healthier, start with that—focus on making meal plans, for example," she says. "After you're eating better, begin the next goal on your list. Gradually add on more once you have mastered the previous goal. There is no rush; you have all year!"


4. Give yourself time benchmarks for each fitness goal. "This will keep you from getting frustrated and will allow you to stay realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Know your limits and what your body can actually attain," she says.


5. Stay focused. "Remember why you are getting fit in the first place," she says. "Always envision how great you are going to look and feel. Every day of being active and eating healthy is another day closer to reaching your goals."


6. Be patient! Tough but true: you're not going to get results overnight. "Results come with time, as Joseph Pilates once said: 'In 10 sessions you'll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you'll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you'll have a whole new body,'" Mariska says. "Staying active is better than nothing, so know that no matter how you work out[3] , you're achieving good health."


7. Find your fitness soul mate. Enjoying the kind of exercise you do helps keep you motivated to keep on doing it. "For me, it was when I found Pilates. I left my first class thinking, “I can’t wait to do this again!” If you love something, think about the steps you go through to make sure you include it in your life," she says. "It's not just about fitness being a priority; it's about you prioritizing your happiness. That is something that feeds your body and your soul."


So how are you going about your 2014 fitness resolutions?


Photos: Thinkstock



References



  1. ^ Mariska Breland (fusepilates.com)

  2. ^ Fuse Pilates Method (fusepilates.com)

  3. ^ work out (www.glamour.com)



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