New Year’s resolutions are a funny thing really. You set all these new goals for what you want to achieve, some people have 10, some people have 50 but I guarantee that among these will be attending the gym or making improvements to your fitness.

 

Sometimes I think we are too hard on ourselves but it is important to re-evaluate because although you may not believe it, this year’s resolutions are probably the same as last year’s so I always take some time to reflect?

 

  • How do last year’s resolutions compare to this year’s? Are they the same? If so, what stopped me from achieving them? What can I do differently this year?
  • Are these goals realistic and is the method I’m going to use sustainable? For me this is probably the most important one. After a heavy Christmas period we all have some pounds to lose and cutting carbs and taking away everything you enjoy might be a great idea and yes you will lose some weight but how long can you keep this up for?

 

For me balance is key. For example, if you decide this January that you will sign up to that dreaded gym offering you a year of free membership, you will eat healthy (with guidance) and lose those extra pounds that are bothering you then it’s likely (initially) that your first session in the gym will be an unpleasant one so make sure you think of something that you enjoy and make sure that the “unpleasant” experience is balanced out with a pleasant one. An example to illustrate, if you love having a latte in the morning, make sure that you carry on doing this. You have done something you wouldn’t normally so reward yourself.

 

Be happy. If after the first 2 weeks you really aren’t enjoying the sport/execise you started doing, stop doing it. Ask for some advice, find something new, consider taking on an extra PT session rather than that dreaded swimming session at the leisure centre.  Make small changes, be realistic and enjoy life. Be healthy, exercise and work hard, but if all the damage you are doing to your body is having a latte, don’t be so hard on yourself.

 

Tilly Kyle

Better Body Group, Sevenoaks