Bring Your New Year's Resolution Back To Life

The New Year naturally gives you "fresh start" vibes, so you probably always start January with good intentions and brand new ambitions. Once the Christmas decorations come down, the leftovers have finally been eaten, and the last family party has come to an end, it’s time to jump back on the wagon, and undo a month of dieting debauchery.

If you’re anything like most people, you’ve probably actually had your New Year resolutions planned for months. Many people decide in October or November that they want to lose weight and get fitter, yet put off actually doing anything about it until the annual festivities are out of the way.

Brushing aside the fact that actually, you’d probably have been far better off making a start and getting your goal chasing underway when you first thought about making big changes, congratulations on making a New Year's resolution and deciding to do something to better yourself.

There’s one big problem with New Year's resolutions though – they don’t work.

Resolutions tend to be very enforced. It’s the done thing to make one, and most people make them more out of a sense of obligation, rather than genuinely wanting to make a positive change. Even if you do really want to stick to yours, it’s incredibly easy to get dragged down by other people who couldn’t stick to theirs. By February, you’re back at square one, only with a hole in your wallet from January’s gym fees, those diet shakes you bought but never used, and the expensive new gym kit you decided was a must.

The trouble many people have is that their goals seem sterile, out of reach and lifeless.

It’s all very well and good to write down “I want to lose 20 pounds” or saying to a friend “I think I’m going to lose some weight this year” but that just doesn’t cut it. Saying something is easy, but doing it is tough.

Rather than saying “I want to” or “I’d like to” or anything that leaves you with a loophole to get out of, make sure you start every resolution with the phrase “I will.” It might sound corny, but by making a commitment to yourself and saying that you’re definitely going to do something means you’re far more likely to succeed.

Don’t just say it to yourself either – write it down, tell friends, family and work colleagues and anyone who’ll listen. The more you say it, the more real your goal becomes, and the higher the price of giving up. Instead of feeling like you just didn't start yet, you'll feel like a failure. Nobody likes that, so making your resolution public can be very motivating.

People often envisage a slimmer, fitter version of themselves, but that image is just a pipedream, or mirage, because most people don’t actually believe they’ll actually be able to look like that. You’ve probably heard someone pick up a fitness magazine or look at a trim celebrity in the paper and remark “I’ll never look like that” but by saying that, you’re already setting yourself up for failure.

Get your goal firmly set in your head, and create the perfect image of what you want to look like. This isn’t a dream, it is what you’ll look like in 12 months time.

How To Bring Your Goals To Life In 3 Easy Steps

Take Photos

It may be daunting and scary, or even embarrassing and excruciating, but taking photos is the single best way to get an idea of where you are now and how you’re progressing. Weight on a scale will only tell you so much. It’s no good your weight dropping if you still look exactly the same.

Even clothes size isn’t one hundred percent reliable, because not all manufacturers use the same measurements and some clothes are fairly stretchy.

Take full body front, back and side photos wearing a swimsuit or sports clothes that let you see a detailed outline of your body. Do this now, before doing anything else. Then every month on the same date, take the photos again. Make sure you stand in the same place, wear similar clothes and try to get the lighting as close as possible to the originals.

Any other progress measures don’t seem real, but photos really bring your goals to life.

Work with a Trainer

There’s nothing like someone with knowledge and experience giving you a kick up the behind to make you work harder, stay motivated and reach your goals.

Training on your own can be a lonely experience, and if you’re not used to gyms, it’s very difficult to decide what route to take with your workout. While training with a friend is an option, there is a danger you’ll end up spending more time talking than training. Plus, if neither of you has much gym experience, then you’re both as lost as each other. Finally, if your friend decides to ditch their goals, you'll feel like you have an excuse to do the same.

A good trainer, however, can help you visualize your goals and see real progress. They’re not just useful for learning exercise techniques and planning your workout either. By hiring a trainer you’re making a commitment and there’s no excuse for skipping sessions. They should also be experienced and knowledgeable enough to get you results faster than you would on your own.

Talk to the trainers at your gym and ask them what they could do for you, how they’ll help you succeed with your resolutions and ask to see pictures and Testimonials from their previous or current clients.

Form a Group

Social support is a massive factor in whether or not you achieve your goals.

As much as you’d like your spouse, children, parents, siblings, friends and work colleagues to support you, they’ve all got other things going on in their lives. They probably do want you to succeed, but your goals aren’t their priorities, so their support can often be limited.

By getting together with others who have similar goals however, you create an environment where everyone is one the same page and while your goals may be different, you can easily put yourselves in each other’s shoes. Sharing your progress will help your support group buddies stay on track, and they'll happily return the favor.

If you’re not able to form a group, then taking a gym class is the next best thing. Chances are they’ll be others there who’re looking for the same things you are and can help you overcome obstacles, work through barriers and reach your goals quicker.