Healthy and Fit in 2006: Seven Steps to Keeping Those Fitness and Weight Loss Resolutions

Want to be fit in 2006? Here’s a really simple way to make your fitness and exercise goals a reality.

Another year has come and gone. The New Year is upon us. A
time filled with fresh hope and anticipation. This year will
be better for me. I WILL lose ___lbs. I WILL exercise
regularly. I WILL eat healthy. I WILL ….

Eventually the comforting voice of the past speaks out, “Oh
sure. Just like every other year. Save yourself the pain
of failure. Just forget all that and have another cookie.”

For some of us this voice speaks out sooner than for others.
The excuses begin to trickle in, then they pour in like
flood waters and before you know it you have fallen off the
resolution wagon. Let’s change things this year. Let’s
resolve to be fit in 2006!

Sounds great Christina but what’s going to make this year
different? Well for one thing I believe you are finally
fed up enough with the way things have been, (otherwise you
wouldn’t still be reading!). And for another thing you have
me now. I want to help guide you past the pain and
frustration and help you finally attain your fitness goals.

An added bonus is that once you begin to see physical
results, mental, emotional and sometimes even spiritual
changes begin to occur. You begin to change fat into
muscle, your clothes hang more loosely, you begin buying
smaller sizes, you smile more often, your self confidence
builds up, you begin tackling other tasks on your goal list
and begin feeling more empowered. Can you see where this
could take you?

Ready for your journey?
Let’s break it down step by step.

1. GOAL SETTING

Set realistic, specific and achievable goals. Take small
steps towards big success. 1-2lbs per week is what you
should expect to lose. Anything more will do more harm and
could have the reverse effect. Taking things slow will be
difficult because we want to lose the weight NOW. I know it
seems as though we gained it overnight but we did not.
Goals such as, ‘I will lose 5 inches in 30 days’ or, ‘I will
exercise every morning this week’ are specific and
attainable. Make goals daily, weekly, 30 day, 60 day….
Write your goals down and review them daily.

2. VISUALIZATIONS AND AFFIRMATIONS.

These go along with your goals. Create a clear picture of
yourself having already achieved your goals. See yourself
in that size __ outfit. How do you feel? How are you
walking? Head high? Smiling? Picture every detail and
burn it into your memory. Affirmations are more than simple
positive statements we make. Affirmations build up belief
in ourselves and belief is the key that gets our motors
running. Make affirmations in the present tense, positive,
short, specific and personalized with your name. Write them
down and repeat them often with a lot of emotion and belief,
visualizing as you say them. Some examples are: I love to
exercise every day; I am in control of my eating; I have
abundant energy and vitality; I love myself; I derserve good
things.

3. EAT HEALTHY.

You are what you eat. Do not starve yourself. Your body
will sense the lack of nutrition and go into storage mode
slowing down your metabolism making it impossible to lose
anything. Eat 5 to 6 small meals every day, no more than
three hours apart. This allows your body to utilize more
nutrients and speeds up your metabolism. It also keeps your
blood sugar levels stable thus reducing cravings. Each
portion should be no larger than your fist. To aid with
this change eat on smaller plates. Eat foods that are low
fat, high protein, and complex carbs such as brown rice,
whole grains and lots of vegies. Drink at least 64ozs of
water daily. Avoid fatty, sugary junk foods. Alcohol has
lots of calories so try to avoid it. Get lots of fiber.
This will keep you feeling full longer plus it will keep you
regular. Take a multivitamin daily. A cheat day once in a
while, (i.e. every other Sunday), will not hurt. If you
really have the urge to eat bad for you foods during the day
ask yourself, “Is this momentary pleasure worth risking all
my efforts? Aren’t I worth making lasting changes for and
finally reaching my goals?”

The answer of course is, YES YOU ARE!

4. EXERCISE DAILY

This is nonnegotiable. First thing in the morning is the
best time but no less than 2 hours after a meal. Alternate
aerobics and strength training. Go for a 30-60 minute brisk
walk every other day and work out with weights or resistance
bands the next day for at least 30 minutes. Join a gym,
hire a personal, get a friend involed. Whatever it takes to
make you move it daily!

5. CHANGE IT UP.

Variety is the spice of life. It will keep you from burning
out and giving up. Change your routine every 8-12 weeks.
This will keep you working harder longer and keeps your
workout fresh.

6. KEEP A JOURNAL.

Write down all your hopes, dreams, doubts, successes and
failures. Keep your affirmations in it as well and read
them often. Keep track of what works and what doesn’t.
Write down everything you’re feeling. Your journal can be
your best friend through this time.

7. NEVER GIVE UP.

If you miss a workout or eat something that is not in your
meal plan don’t completely throw in the towel. You are
worth fighting for. Write in your journal why you were set
back and keep moving forward.

If you give up on exercise and healthy eating, you give up
on yourself. Make this year different. Stand up to
yourself, for yourself. No one can do it like you can!

————————————————————

Change is hard and should come gradual. This is going to be
an uphill battle. Follw these steps to your success and see
yourself at the top, VICTORIOUS!

These steps seem simple. This is the magic formula. Change
nothing and nothing changes. Help is out there and not hard
to find. Follow this guide to a more healthy you and you’ll
be FIT IN 2006!

(c) Copyright 2006 by Christina Jennings

Christina has been in the health and fitness industry over 16 years. For information on health and fitness products to aid you please visit http://fitness.jentegascbmall.com Please email questions to [email protected]

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