How many times have you set New Year’s Resolutions that you have not followed through on? I bet more than once. It’s great to be proactive and to set goals, but too often we set unattainable goals. A goal too drastic will not last (think crash diets, intense workout regimens, etc). Yeah, the first week goes great, and then you burn out and feel like a failure. Not so good for your ego or your health.
Remember, Rome was not built in a day!
So I propose a saner approach this year, The Pilates Nutritionsit way.
Here’s how:
1. Choose something you want to work on (be specific here). For example, I need to stop skipping breakfast.
2. Define how you are going to do it (again, be specific).
For example, I am going to eat breakfast 3 days a week. (notice I chose to only do this 3 days a week, not everyday. If you NEVER ate breakfast, be gentle on yourself and start slow. This is your goal, so don’t think about other people judging if it’s good enough. If one day a week is all you think you could realistically follow through with, start there.)
3. Then, choose a time frame in which you are going to reevaluate the goal. (use numbers, so that you have an objective measure of your performance).
For example: I will eat breakfast 3 days a week for 3 weeks, then make it 4 days a week for another 3 weeks.
Voila! Starting slowing and gradually intensifying your goals will prevent burnout. Think of it like running hurdles – you have to warm up before you jump the highest hurdles.
So what’s your goal for the year?
Make it to Pilates every Wednesday at 6pm?
Eat something green at dinner Monday thru Thursday?
Only eat fast food once a week?
Put one less spoon of sugar in your coffee?
Practice your teaser 3 days a week?
