Staying Successful - How to Change Your New Years Resolutions into a Way of Life

Hi everyone! I hope your 2016 is going great so far!

Towards the back end of 2015 I posted on my Facebook page and Twitter how I wouldn't be making any new years resolutions. Rather, I was making a year end resolution. That year end resolution was to finish 2015 fitter and stronger than when I started. And I did! I'd been following my fitness programmes and eating clean (with a little balance thrown in on occasion) since October. I'd lost weight, toned up, and was beasting my workouts because I was fitter and stronger *round of applause!*

I've never been one for new years resolutions, I can't really see the point. Surely if you're that bothered about losing weight/giving up smoking/cutting back on alcohol/insert your vice here... then you'd just do it. Wouldn't you? I'm always surprised that people are willing to wait until January 1st to make the change.
Oh, please don't get me wrong. I'm playing devil's advocate to a degree here. Anyone that makes an effort to start a journey towards better health and fitness is frickin' awesome in my mind. It's not an easy thing to commit to and I salute anyone that goes balls out for it. It's just the January 1st bit that I don't get. Forgive me?

Anyway, so as not to run the risk of offending anyone who has made a new year resolution to get fitter, stronger and healthier in 2016 I wanted to give you some tips on how to keep that momentum going.

After the initial excitement of it all the reality hits and excuses start creeping in as to why you don't have time to work out today, or some of those unhealthy favourite treats start to creep into you shopping trolley. But you know that if you want it bad enough, if you have a strong desire and motivation to do something then you'll find a way! If you're not highly motivated then you'll find excuses instead.

So here are my TOP TIPS FOR STAYING SUCCESSFUL WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH:

Number One

A strong 'Why' or driving force to change your nutrition and fitness levels is absolutely essential. I made sure to ask my challengers in our recent 5 Day Introduction to Clean Eating group what their 'Why' is. It's easy to answer "to lose weight" or "to look better" but it's often deeper than that. Lack of confidence, health concerns (either current ones or potential issues in the future), worries that you won't be able to keep up with your kids/grandkids as they (and you!) get older, a desire to set a good example to your children, wanting your family to be proud of you, wanting to feel ALIVE again! The list is endless and much more involved than any superficial 'vain' reasons.

The point is that you have to really want to change. If your 'Why' is strong enough it serve as an internal motivator that keeps you going even when the novelty wears off. You have to want to change more than you want to stay the same!

Number Two

Be committed. You have to commit in order to succeed. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get there. You've gotta go all in!

Number Three

Stick to good nutrition. The 80/20 rule won't put you far wrong! Have a treat then get straight back into the game. Make sure you're drinking lots of water. You may find it helpful to track your daily food intake in a journal. You will make steady and healthy progress.

Number Four

Trust that you'll be successful. If you really want it you can have it! So give yourself some credit - you can do it! It may be trial and error for a while. It may take some time to find out what works best for your body, but it'll come. Go ahead and tweak things as you go along. Progress is slow, you just have to have faith that you'll get there. Give it time and don't give up too early because you've got this!

So now you’ve started, don’t let anything stop you!

How the Little Things Affect Your Bigger Goal

When you have a goal (whether personal or professional) it can seem unachievable, too big, too far away to even know where to start. But it has to start somewhere. If you don't take the first step you can't make the journey and you'll never get to where you want to be.

Baby steps are your friend. They're seemingly insignificant actions that you take and decisions you make. The things that you do every day, often without really thinking about it - the small stuff. Making considered choices that actively move you closer to your goal are the answer.

These baby steps - they're easy to do. But you know what?
They're a darn sight easier not to.
If you don't exercise today is it a big deal? If you finish up the kids' leftovers have you thrown all of your progress away? If you eat a packet of crisps instead of an apple is it a disaster? Of course not. One bad decision doesn't throw you off track as long as you get straight back on the wagon. But you have to get straight back on the wagon. It's when one bad decision turns into another, then another and.....well, you get the picture.

It's hard to not eat that piece of birthday cake when everyone else is, or to work out after a long day at work. It's easy to make excuses and convince yourself it's the right decision. Hey, no one will know if you didn't do it. No one except you.
That's where the true test is. It depends on how much you want it - whether you want the change more then you want to stay the same.

Know that the cumulative effect of your small daily actions and decisions will ultimately take you closer to or further away from your goal.

You have the control.
Keep your eyes on the prize. Envision it, make it real. You have to be committed for the long haul. You won't achieve your goals in a matter of days. Be prepared for it to take months, maybe even years. But keep your eyes on the prize.

So go ahead and take those baby steps. Make those considered decisions. Sweat those small things. Do it day in and day out. Do it even when nobody's watching.

You'll be smashing those goals before you know it!