The Inauguration of YOU. Refine and achieve ANY resolution.

I'm barely into the second week of 2009, and my New Year's resolutions are already as dusty as the 2008 calendar still hanging on the wall. What's the problem? As a personal trainer, I should have this resolution thing down by now!

THE PROBLEM DEFINED

For the last several years, and with the best of intentions, I have listed my goals for the upcoming year. But it seems harder and harder to follow through.  I think I've figured out my problem: My goals are too daunting! I have been putting the carrot too far in front, and I'm not in good enough shape to catch it...yet!

Setting the bar too high is a common mistake. We all want amazing results, so we set some pretty lofty and unrealistic goals. And knowing that we have a full year to make it all happen, the tendency is to stretch it waaaayyy out! And all of sudden it's time to make resolutions again. Well NOT THIS YEAR. This is the year to make it happen!

THE SMART SOLUTION

How can I get out of this rut? Simple. I can make my yearly resolutions the S.M.A.R.T. way! By making resolutions that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely, I can focus on what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and what steps can be taken in order to get it done.

So this year no more BIG and GENERAL "improve fitness", "eat better", "lose weight" goals. Nope, this year I am focusing on one specific objective: eating more frequent meals, rather than my usual "three-a-day."  There is evidence that eating smaller, more frequent meals is better for weight loss, as it keeps hunger at bay, and also keeps the metabolism ramped up.   Since this is a strategy I often recommend to clients, I need to practice what I am preaching.

First, I am actually writing down what I want to accomplish and keeping my goal "in sight." I taped my piece of paper on the refrigerator -- making me that much more aware of my intention. Also, when it comes to diet changes, it has actually been shown that writing down what you eat can help you lose more weight than if you try and count calories alone.

Writing down the resolution...CHECK.  Writing down what I eat...CHECK!  Now, instead of just "imagining" my resolutions, I can actually assess what I am doing and keep myself accountable, which is the most important aspect of sticking to ANY KIND OF CHANGE!

In terms of measurement, I am noting on my weekly calendar how well I do. I also think this will encourage me to keep at it. And, once the change becomes more permanent, I won't need to think of it so much. It will become part of my "normal routine."

So there you have it!  Hopefully I can stick to this plan, since all the steps are in place.  In the past, I have strayed before February even begins.  With this new plan in tow, I think I have all my ducks in a row, and will be on the path to resolution success in no time!

If you are in search of additional ways to EAT WELL -- recipes, shopping tips, and other helpful hints about food, take a look at the blog archive for the "Everything Food" category.

Dan Gaz is a Fitness Associate and Personal Trainer at the Rochester Athletic Club, in Rochester, MN. He has both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University.