Ah yes … it’s that time of year again, when we all vow to
make changes in our activity level.
“I am going to start going to the gym every day.”
“I am going to get up earlier every day and go on the
treadmill before going to work.”
Every January, fitness centres are jam packed with people
and a month or two later, the gyms are deserted. When it comes to both activity and eating
healthier, we tend to go with the all or nothing mind-set and one setback can
often send everything off the rails. Sound familiar? So many of us fall into a trap of making
general wants and wishes:
“I want to lose weight.”
“I wish to be more active.”
“I want to eat better.”
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, making those plans
and goals as specific as possible will help with following through. Create SMART goals to give yourself a better
chance of success and sustainability.
SMART goals are:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely
Read our blog post about making SMART goals here.
A SMART goal looks like this:
“I am going to walk on my lunch hour for 15 minutes three
days per week.”
A goal such as this is manageable and will provide both health
and postural benefits.
Remember that it is wintertime and prepare for the weather.
Dress in layers and wear proper footwear for walking outdoors in the winter. If
the weather is really bad, walk indoors or climb the stairs.
Another goal is to register for an exercise class one or two
days a week, then plan ahead by scheduling your day and meals around this class.
Signing up for a registered class for a
pre-determined number of weeks is often a good way to stay motivated. Little things like knowing there is an end
date and having paid for the class upfront can sometimes be what keeps you
going. Workout buddies can also be good
motivators for accountability; plan on meeting a friend at the mall and doing a
20-minute walk, at a brisk pace, before you do your shopping. If you can’t get to a class or the mall, do
your own exercise routine at home.
The goal is to be healthier by being more active, which is the
result of sustaining lifestyle changes that started with setting small and
specific goals.
Corinne Cutler is an Exercise Specialist at the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network.
