set goal, make plan, work, stick to it, reach goal – a success concept presented with colorful sticky notes
There’s no time quite like the New Year to make resolutions for you and your family. Whether it’s pursuing a healthier lifestyle or increasing our community connections, many of us start the year with great intentions. Make this the year that those visions for a better you become a reality!
There are a few local facilities that are positioned in our community to support a wide range of individuals and families with their lifestyle goals, like the Kraft YMCA and Hunt Center.
Joyce, a local retiree, shares that the Y is home for her because not only does it offer the physical benefits of supported training, but “there’s something for everyone…it’s not just an individual adult in the weight room, but it’s also for the family and starts at a very early age of 6 weeks, right up to a member who’s 94 and comes every day!”
Finding the right, supportive community is critical to staying after your goals and setting new ones along the way. Here are a few more tips for bringing your moments of fulfillment and accomplishment to life this year:
Find a buddy. Everything’s better with friends, even the early wake-up call for the workout that gets your day started on the right track. Accountability is invaluable, and mutually beneficial.
Make it a family affair. For those juggling parenting responsibilities and personal health goals, make time to combine those with regular walks, bike rides, hikes, or a kid-friendly group exercise class.
Focus on one goal. Don’t tackle all of your goals at once. Choose just one area to address. Research shows that willpower functions like a muscle: it’s a limited resource, it must be strengthened, and if overused, it fatigues. You’re more likely to succeed if you concentrate your willpower on one change at a time rather than distribute it thinly across many goals. Share your goal, prioritize it in your schedule and surround yourself with the support that you need.
Set a measurable goal and write it down. Be specific! Don’t commit to “lose weight.” Define what success will look like. Will you exercise a certain number of days each week? Clear, defined goals are easier to pursue, and you can easily determine if you’ve achieved success. You’re almost 10-times more likely to follow a plan of action if you write it down.
Stay balanced. The best exercise plans have a mix of elements – cardio, strength, functional fitness and stretching. Balance and moderation leave you the proper time for rest and fun with your friends and family, and contribute to a sustainable routine. Being prepared with active alternatives can create a bridge between workouts – take an extra dog walk, dance to a favorite song, or simply take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Remove temptation. Change your environment to make it easier to uphold your resolution. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, stock your pantry with only healthy snacks.
Reward yourself. Pencil in your workouts on your calendar. Reward yourself for keeping your appointments. For example, reward yourself with a manicure if you make it to the gym five times in a week, or enjoy a movie if you take two inches off your waist.
