Starting the New Year with New Routines

It’s that time of year! Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s – we made it! Now what? New Year’s resolutions to ‘lose weight and be healthier’ are very common, and come March many of us have thrown that idea out the window. Why?

When it comes to making major changes in our lives, we go through a series of stages. These are known as – the stages of change! Knowing where you are on this spectrum can help with managing goals.

Pre-contemplation: No intention to change soon (within the next 6 months)

Contemplation: There is a plan to start new behavior within the next 6 months

Preparation: You are ready to act (within the next 30 days)!

Action: Change has begun! You are within the first 6 months of your new behavior

Maintenance: Change has been ongoing for 6+ months

So, where would you place yourself on this scale? Where would you like to be? When we think of our health & wellness, it’s easy to think BIG and then get overwhelmed when we struggle to hit our markers. A person who had a goal to climb Mt. Everest likely started with a first goal to buy a pair of hiking shoes.

My first question when meeting with new clients who have a goal to lose weight or just live healthier – what does that look like to you? For some, it’s fitting comfortably in a bathing suit; for others, it’s being able to manage type 2 diabetes.

Here are some tips to help you get started!

1. Start small – think one change at a time. If your goal is to drink more water, start by swapping out one beverage for water. If you typically have a soda with lunch, switch to water. Next week, add another small change.

2. Be specific – if your goal is to move more; think about what that looks like and how often. If you want to ‘walk more’, setting a detailed goal to ‘walk 3 times this week for 20 minutes’ gives you tangible goal post.

3. Tell your friends and family your goals! Social support goes a long way. Chances are some of your friends and family have the same goals and you can motivate each other!

4. Hire a trainer! Personal trainers are your cheerleaders and accountability coaches.

Let’s start the conversation today. Contact me to set up your free fitness consultation and let’s discuss your goals and how I can help you reach them!