4 Tips to Help You Stick to Your Health Goals This Year

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 by Marie Spano, MS, RD


Did you skip a day of exercise?  Did one day turn into two and then a whole week and you are left wondering if you should go back? There are 4 things you should do right away to help achieve your goals.

1. Believe That You Can – believing that you can reach your goal is the number one determinant of success. Kevin Plank, the founder of Under Armour said it best, “The game is already won or lost by the way you approach it.” You have to believe before you can achieve. So what if you are having a tough time picturing the changes you desire? Well then it’s time to pull out the “fake it till you make it” mentality.

If it’s weight loss you are after, spend time envisioning your body smaller, shopping for new clothes (heck, buy something you like that is too tight right now and put it within your sight), fitting into an airplane seat with plenty of room to spare. Use your mind to daydream and see yourself where you want to be. Also put things within your sight that are reminders of the success you will have. See yourself kicking that winning goal.

2. Enlist the Help of Others Who Believe in You – some people want you to succeed and really believe that you can do it. Others will be envious of your success and determination. Surround yourself with a support team (personal trainer, dietitian, friends, family, coworkers) who believe that you can do it and are cheering you on the entire way!

3. Ditch the All-or-Nothing Thinking. If eating a cookie makes you feel like your weight loss efforts are falling apart, it’s time to readjust your mindset. Missing a week of working out doesn’t mean you should give up. Having a day where you completely blow your diet does not mean that you’ll gain 5 lbs back. Realize that you don’t have to be perfect all of the time to achieve your Health Goal. Forgive yourself, forget it and look forward not backward.

4. Write it Down. There is something about having a visual reminder that makes you change your behavior.  If you want to workout 3 days a week, keep a calendar up on the wall where you see it often, and write down your workouts on each day you complete one. And, do the same thing for diet – write down what you eat every day and just the act of writing it down will help you make better choices.


Also, don't forget to take your calcium supplements for good bone health and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.  It's important to make sure you get the right amount each day.

 

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