|
How to Keep a New Year’s Resolution
American Council on Exercise Offers Ten Ways to Finally Stick to Them
SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Dec. 23, 2004– It’s almost New Year’s
Eve. What better way to mark the occasion than by making bold promises
to yourself? Because it’s a major transitional time, New Year’s
provides a convenient occasion to take stock of your life. Millions of
people make resolutions, but how do you keep them?
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) offers the following ten tips
to help you stick to your New Year resolutions. The January/February 2004
issue of ACE Fitness Matters features a full article on this topic.
- Set resolutions that are realistic and based on your personal history.
Learn from your failures. If you want to exercise five days a week and
you haven’t done it in the past, vow to work out twice a week.
- Set interim goals. You can’t lose 100 pounds or get a Ph.D. overnight.
Lose two to three pounds a week, and work toward your doctorate a few
credits at a time.
- Evaluate whether or not you have the skills to attain the goal of
your resolution. If you want to start a strength-training program but
have never lifted a weight or been inside a gym, there’s a good
chance you’ll get intimidated or confused, or over train and possibly
injure yourself. A wiser way to start would be to read a book or surf
the Web for information on weight training, or work with a personal
trainer until you get acclimated.
- Write down both your resolution and your plan. Use clear and concise
language. A well laid out plan will help to ensure success.
- Keep track of your progress periodically. Try once a week.
- Use positive language. The way you talk to yourself really affects
your ability to attain your goals. Try to develop a “can-do”
attitude.
- Lose the excuses. Don’t say: “It’s too late for me
to go back to school.” Instead, affirm: “There’s no age
limit to getting a degree” and “Once I get that degree, I’ll
be able to get a better job.”
- Get support. Reach out to your family, friends or a group of people
who share the same goal and who can encourage you if your resolve weakens.
- Develop coping strategies. Learn how to deal with problems that come
up.
- Celebrate your “successes” and rebound from your “failures.”
Take credit for success when you achieve a resolution. If you fail don’t
blame yourself, just see how you can do better the next time.
About ACE
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a nonprofit organization committed
to promoting active, healthy lifestyles and their positive effects on
the mind, body and spirit. ACE pledges to enable all segments of society
to enjoy the benefits of physical activity and to protect the public against
unqualified fitness professionals and unsafe or ineffective fitness products,
programs and trends. ACE accomplishes this mission by setting certification
and continuing education standards for fitness instructors and through
ongoing public education regarding scientifically sound health and fitness
practices. For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636
or log onto the ACE Web site at www.acefitness.org.
|
