Make your 2011 Resolutions a Reality!

This year be smarter about what you set out to achieve in regards to your health and fitness goals for 2011. Contemplate what you aspired to accomplish last year, did you succeed? If so, congratulations! What worked well for you? If you did not achieve your goal last year, here are some tips designed to make your resolutions a reality:

• Pick an attainable (yet still challenging) fitness goal. Don't just say, "I'm going to lose 10 lbs this year." How are you going to do it? 

• Be specific. Instead, tell yourself that you are going to commit to working out 6 days a week. You have to make it part of your everyday routine, just like brushing your teeth! Give it a try and take it week by week, or even just day by day. Once you get started, and see results you will begin to enjoy and look forward to your next workout.
• Fit in a brisk walk during your lunch break, or make it an after dinner ritual with a family member, eager dog, or friend. 
• When given the choice- always take the stairs, and never the elevator.
• Schedule a workout with a friend and hold each other accountable for not flaking out. You can even go as far as making it a $5 or $10 penalty you pay each other if you cancel. (I bet you will show up more often than not, and you might even make some money while getting your workout in!)

• Commit to eating better this year. You owe it to yourself to feel better, look better, and perform your work outs or daily activities better. 

• Start out with baby steps. Ease into adding more fruits and vegetables into your diet. (No one can change overnight, so don't beat yourself up over a slip up here and there, you're human and we have sweet tooths!) 
• Exchange your breakfast cereal for fruit, trade that lunch club sandwich for a fresh green salad, carry almonds with you during the day when hunger hits for a snack, eat lean meat and vegetables for dinner instead of pasta.
• Eat smaller portions more frequently and once you start making healthier choices and enjoy a guilt-free indulgence on occasion, you will surprise yourself by craving healthy options naturally.
• Really listen to yourself, are you eating because you are truly hungry, or are you just bored, upset, or emotional? Intuitive eating and consciously knowing why you are eating is so important for your weight loss results and will banish any post meal guilt.

You CAN do this! Small steps like these will lead to attainable physical results and sustainable daily eating habits to make your resolutions a reality in 2011.