I always find that people kinda go crazy right after the New Year. They try to convince themselves that they are going to eat 100% perfectly and exercise everyday. That nothing or no one can stop them. Well it sure sounds great! And I know it’s with the best of intentions that we make these promises to ourselves. The problem is, when you miss one of these impossible targets – people tend to get mad at themselves and start a vicious cycle. Here are some tips to help you avoid over promising yourself things that you can not live up to.

1. Set attainable fitness goals. Try aiming for 2 or 3 times a week instead of 5. Once you’ve got that down, add another day.
2. Give yourself barriers you can live with. Maybe “I will be healthy 80% of the time.” or ” I will only go out for dinner/ order in dinner – once a week.”
3. Base your weight loss goals on a pair of pants and not a number on a scale. Instead of torturing yourself with a number on the scale each morning try this : Find a pair of pants in your closet that will fit if you lose 10 pounds. In 8 weeks, check in to see if your 10lb pants fit. If they do- find another pair of pants and do the same thing until you reach your final destination pants
4. Be realistic about how much you can take on. Work busy and stressful ? Life at home busy and stressful ? Decide what you can realistically do and aim for that. Maybe make a schedule with your spouse so you know when you can get to the gym and how dinner is actually going to get made every night.
5. Make this about long term health and not a short term quick fix. You have to eat and exercise in a way that you can keep doing for life. Once you stop – you will gain the weight back so it has to be something you can live with. Don’t think of this change as a six week experiment or an 8 week fix. It’s a life long goal.