5 Ways to Make Consistency a Part of Your New Year's Resolution

Are new year's resolutions practical motivators or have they too often become irrational goals that we never end up reaching?  When is the last time you came up with a new year's resolution that you legitimately achieved AND kept?  Unfortunately, those of us who can say we've done this are considered the minority.

I don't necessarily think that our goals are unattainable.  However, our lack of consistency is the stumbling block that is holding us back.  Setting goals to lose fifty pounds or implement a diet with healthier choices ARE feasible!  What most people fail to realize is that neither one of these goals are going to happen overnight.

Imagine staying true to your new year's resolution for all of 2011.  Isn't that the meaning of a new year's resolution, after all?  I am willing to bet that if you spend the entire year working toward something positive that you will not only accomplish the goals you set out to reach, but you will achieve the lifestyle change that you were ultimately after.

Below are five simple ways to practice consistency this year.  I challenge you to apply these tips to the goals you have set for yourself.  If you are able to stay consistent for all of 2011 you will not only hit those seemingly unattainable goals, but you will join the minority of people who start 2012 off exactly the way they hope to.  GOOD LUCK!

1.  Use Both Long and Short Term Goals to Your Advantage


Simply setting a long term goal that is to be reached in one year's time can contribute to our loss of interest.  This is a big part of the reason most of us have forgotten about our new year's resolution by March.  If you have a goal of running a marathon by the end of the year that is considered your long term goal.  To keep interest in reaching that goal you must set short term goals that will help you stay engaged in achieving the end result.  Set a goal of running five miles by March and ten by June!  Allowing yourself to recognize progress in the form of short term goals is essential to developing consistency.

2.  Personalize Your New Year's Resolution


Instead of setting goals aimlessly make sure your resolution is realistic for YOU.  Identify potential drawbacks that might stop you from being consistent.  If you set a goal of working out five days a week knowing very well that your schedule won't allow it in the spring you end up setting yourself up for failure.  In this scenario you would be better off to choose a more realistic goal or to plan ahead and come up with a way that you can still make five days a week work once your schedule becomes more hectic.

3.  Stay Away from Fad Diets and Shake Weights

If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.  Quick fix diets and infomercial exercise equipment are a waste of your time and will ultimately lead to you getting discouraged.  If you can't see yourself implementing a particular diet for the rest of your life it is not worth your time.  We do more damage to our bodies by constantly changing our diet from one extreme to another than we would do if we just added a few healthy habits to our diet and stayed consistent.

In regards to the exercise equipment fads, if you're thinking about buying ANYTHING that's advertised like this:

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!

4.  Add Variety to Your Exercise Program

One reason people end up out of the gym and back on the couch by March is because they get bored.  This year challenge yourself to trying some new things.  If you are a gym member check out one or two of the classes your gym has to offer.  If you find one you like it may be the key to overcoming that plateau.  Muscle memory is the reason we hit plateaus.  The more time you spend doing the exact same thing in the gym the more time you are wasting.  Constantly change your program up to see results all year long.  Need new ideas?  Hire a personal trainer!! :)  

5.  Reward Yourself for Consistency

Staying engaged for an entire year is no easy task!  Whether you decide to reward yourself with something every time you reach a short term goal or every month you stick to your resolution, having something to look forward to is key.  Buying a small piece of exercise equipment (not the shake weight) or a healthy living cookbook are a few ideas for positive rewards.  A spa day, massage, or a new outfit are a few more.  Try to avoid taking yourself out for 25 cent wing night after you reach this month's goal of losing four pounds.  Rewards are a great aid in achieving accountablilty but make sure your rewards aren't counterproductive.