CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The new year is upon us. Jan. 1 brings the promise of renewed sensibilities and positive change to our lives -- an opportunity to wipe the slate clean. The date symbolizes renewal and optimism and a real chance to change the way we feel about ourselves, conduct our lives and interact with people. Hence, the ever-popular decision is a New Year's fitness resolution and not an available parking space at the gym.
Fitness resolutions are easier said than done. Inevitably, something interferes with the new you, new routine, new lifestyle and instead of taking a moment to process the bumps in the road, compromise and find a solution, we catch ourselves drifting back to our old ways. This is because they are familiar, easier and in some ways comforting, even if they are the cause of most of our discontent. This generally happens around late February and gym parking is much easier to find.
Whether you consciously make a resolution to change your health and fitness routine, I'll bet you at least think about it. I do. It always brings me back to a core group of steps, an action plan, that I remind myself of and share with my clients about achieving the real changes in life they are actually searching for.
1. Decide exactly what you want your health and fitness goals to be and write them down. Make your goals clear, specific and measurable. Don't forget attainable!
old you: spin class every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. -- no exceptions
new you: walk 20 minutes four times in a seven-day period
2. Specify the most important exercise you know you could do to move your health and fitness level up 10 percent. Then make time for that exercise daily starting with today.
old you: did absolutely nothing
new you: does 50 crunches a day while watching TV
3. Identify the major constraint or limiting factor inside yourself or your world that is stopping you from achieving your most important health and fitness goal and begin working on removing that constraint.
old you: no child care, so working out is out
new you: get the kids involved -- workout at the playground; push baby in the stroller outside; join a gym with child care or simply arrange for child care at the house so you can get your workout time in
4. Determine the single biggest problem or obstacle in your life sabotaging your health and fitness. Then focus all your time and attention on the possible solutions.
old you: picky, unhealthy eaters in your family dictate your dietary choices
new you: hold a family meeting to discuss eating out, the grocery list and cleaning up popular recipes -- what are family members willing to give up for you to get?
5. Make a list of what you would want your health and fitness routine to be if you had no limitations and you were absolutely guaranteed success.
old you: exercise every morning, size 4, able to eat anything
new you: swim three times in a seven-day period for an hour early in the morning when the pool is quiet with no shoulder pain, followed by sipping a great cup of cappuccino
6. Accept complete responsibility for your health and fitness. From this day forward, refuse to make excuses for not working out or blaming anyone else for causing you not to work out. Instead, be accountable and take action to make your health and fitness goals a reality.
old you: too tired to go to my fitness class after work so I'll go in the morning before work
new you: if I am not going to the gym, what can I do for my health and fitness tonight at home -- have a backup plan!
7. Reaffirm and visualize your goals of improved health, fitness and personal happiness as a reality. Remember, the person you see is the person you will be!
old you: I haven't lost any weight and I've been coming to the gym for weeks ... I quit
new you: although my weight hasn't changed yet, I am walking 10 miles a week, feel great and have inspired a neighbor to join me ... it might be time to decide my next health and fitness goal.
So, are you ready to make a real health and fitness action plan and not just another resolution? I certainly hope so. By the way, I'll try not to park in your spot at the gym.
Robyn Sarcomo is a certified Aerobics and Fitness Association of America personal trainer specializing in core stability and strength. Mrs. Sarcomo spent the last year working for the Army as a physical fitness specialist and currently teaches a core stability class every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at the Charleston AFB fitness and sports center.
To contact her, e-mail robyn@fitprofessionals.net.