Oh Yeah! 2013 is just a couple of hours away. Right now is the time when everyone is making there 3 top New Year’s Resolution. It’s that time when everyone decides to make healthier food choices, exercise more, kick bad habits and finally get in shape. Now if you haven’t thought about your plan for 2013 I’ve got a few ideas for you to get you thinking.
Although, there is a downside to setting big resolutions in the beginning of the New Year. You start off with every good intention in the world to stick to it but soon you find yourself falling off track and hard to stick with. Well here’s the thing I want you to consider, take it one day at a time and decide you will be better today than you were yesterday and make small baby steps.
It may sound crazy from someone like me that’s all about setting goals and reaching them but I’m down to earth and realistic when I say take an extra step every day to get to your goal. That way you won’t fall off track and you will be kicking a bad habit and adopting a new one at the same time. It’s a Win Win.
Here are a few things to think of when setting some New Resolutions for yourself.
1. Get some sleep. Depriving yourself of sleep creates havoc in your body and you actually gain weight around the midsection. Get to bed early and wake up early. Work on keeping the same schedule even during the weekend. You’ll find yourself more productive during the day with more energy.
2. Substitute a current not so healthy meal with one that’s better for you. A healthier solution for better meals will help to keep pounds off and live healthier. It’s not about starving yourself or depriving yourself of good tasting food. Just having a healthier substitute as a choice. Take a look at these tips HERE for healthier eating.
3. Increase your metabolism with more intense workouts in shorter periods of time. There’s really no benefit to staying on a treadmill for over an hour, you can get a more intense workout in 20 minutes with the right workout. With whichever choice of workout you decide to do make sure it’s high intensity especially if you are pressed for time. Go HERE for a little more on shorter workouts.
4. Add body weight exercises Pilates exercises to an everyday routine to help with tightening the core, increase endurance, physical performance and strength. You can check out some body weight Pilates move HERE.
5. Do something that’s a fun challenge, whether it’s running your first 5k or losing the first 5 pounds. When you challenge yourself to do something you’ve never done before keeps you motivated to achieving it. We all have a competitive streak, whether we admit it or not, we do. For more on challenging yourself head over HERE.
6. How bad do you want it! Is it for you, your kids, your spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, mom, dad…whomever. What’s the motivating factor that burns that fire under your butt to get off it and make things happen. For a few tips on getting your head on straight go over HERE.
7. Put the soda and alcohol down and drink more water and fluids that flush away bad toxins. One of the best antioxidants I have found that are great for the body are teas. I’ve given a few tips right over HERE.
8. Have fun and give yourself a break here and there. Take some time for yourself, whether it’s dinner out with friends or some time with your significant other. Don’t bury yourself in things that can wait, life keeps going, don’t miss out. As my good friend says “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff” by tomorrow it won’t matter.
9. Cut the carbs especially after dinner. Resist the urge of heading to the kitchen and loading up on cereal or bread. Eat your carbs earlier in the day, preferably for breakfast and slowly reduce the amount you eat throughout the day and finally after dinner no more carbs. You will be surprised with how your body will change.
10. Be thankful for those small things we tend to overlook, so every day recognize one thing you are thankful for. It will help to keep things in perspective of what’s truly important.
11. Add an extra spurt of body weight finishers to your workout. Top off your workout with resistance training and by that I don’t mean you need to head into a gym to do resistance training. A push-up and a squat are body weight moves that will help to gain muscle strength. You can do it in 3 minutes, see what I’m talking about HERE.
12. Enjoy Life…Have Fun…Smile Often….everyday brings a new opportunity.
13. Reward…That’s right, give yourself a surprise gift when you hit a goal, it doesn’t have to be a huge gift but a reward after working your butt off on reaching a goal.
Now take a moment and decide on making small steps everyday in reaching a goal that is important to you. Have fun and enjoy every minute.
Frances says
I really loved this plan. I had let myself go, really depressing. Now that I have gotten into adding pilates, I see changes quickly taking place. My attitude has become positive and always looking forward to be good to myself.
Thanks 😉
Sylvia Favela says
Good for you Frances! Keep moving forward and fit your workouts in everyday! Super proud of you =)