02 Jan Five tips to help keep your 2015 New Year’s Resolution

More than half the people in the U.S. have made some type of New Year’s Resolution for 2015.
Chances are people reading this article have done so and if they haven’t then a close relative or friend has.
Statistics have found that approximately two-thirds of the people in our country make a New Year’s Resolution. A huge number of those goals involve trying to get more fit and/or making changes for the better in regards to their health.
Unfortunately, statistics also demonstrate that less than 20 percent of people will actually keep their resolutions. Some studies have found as few as 5 percent follow through.
Fear not, though, there are ways to greatly improve your odds of following through on your New Year’s resolution. Here are five tips to help you do that:
1. Set an attainable resolution – Trying to look like a super model is probably not an attainable goal, but you can vow to work out 3-4 times a week and-or maybe even lose 10-20 pounds.
Set goals that are feasible.
Be open to adjusting your resolution some if it’s not quite working out – that’s a lot better than quitting altogether.
2. Stick with it at least two weeks – Most resolutions are lost before January is even a few weeks old. The most crucial time to keeping a resolution is the first two weeks, so be tough on yourself the first two weeks even if it’s really hard. If you can get through those two weeks you’re obviously still not home free, but it will be a lot easier.
3. Write it down – Create a gameplan to keep your resolution. Write down ideas on how you’ll be able to follow through and you can write down some of the hurdles you expect will present themselves. If you’ve set fitness goals, keeping a daily workout log will be a huge help.
4. Get a little help – If you are trying to take on a really major resolution that‘s failed in the past, like quitting smoking or drinking, then this time seek professional assistance. If you’ve failed repeatedly in weight loss or other fitness goals, then maybe working with a dietician or trainer will help get you over the hump.
Ask family and/or friends to help you. Maybe that will mean one of them will become a workout super-buddy. If you’ve set a goal to be a more positive person, then you can ask someone close to you to gently remind you when you’re not (ie: you start being a “Negative Nellie” again).
5. Reward yourself – Setting a big resolution is not easy, so if you’re able to keep it then reward yourself at various steps along the way. Tell yourself if after two months you’re still on track, you’ll buy an outfit or new workout clothes. Tell yourself early on if you can get through the whole year keeping that resolution, you’ll do something really special – like take a vacation somewhere warm to show off that newly chiseled physique.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com