RISE UP and Keep Your New Year's Resolution

Almost 2/3 of New Year’s resolutions are not attained. In fact, 25% of those resolutions don’t last a week! As people who have the ability to focus and pursue things we want, pushing all else to the wayside, this is not an issue we should have. The reason so many fail is because they do not set themselves up to be successful. Here are 6 steps to help you RISE UP and achieve your goals:


Realistic – Do not set huge, unattainable goals. You will get frustrated quick, and give up. Make sure your resolution is achievable.
Increments - Break your big goal into smaller individual goals. Meeting goals consistently gives you a feeling of achievement, which keeps you motivated.
Strategize – Make a list of things that will enable you to successfully meet your goal, steps you can take to insure success.
Enjoy – I had a trainer tell me the best cardio exercise for me was the one I would do. Make sure you are doing things you enjoy. Find hobbies and activities that support your goal.
Unyielding – Don’t give up. Sometimes you will mess up. Stay committed to your goal, and pick up where you left off instead of throwing in the towel.
Positive – Use positive wording when setting goals. It is not focusing on the negative things you used to do, but instead adding positive things you will start doing. Don’t say I will try, say I WILL DO!

Here is how I have applied the goal to my life. I needed to lose weight. When I stepped into recovery I weighed 140 pounds, and needed to gain 30-40 more to be healthy. I ended up adding 110 pounds, and now would like to lose 50.

Realistic – I am 5’6” and weigh 250 pounds, so losing 50 pounds is very realistic!

Increments – I am shooting for 5 pounds a month, which is a little over 1 pound a week.

Strategize – I will eat healthier, drink at least 100 ounces of water a day and exercise for an hour 3-5 times a week.

Enjoy – Eating healthier means going without a lot of fried foods and sweets, but I have added more meat that I love. I also don’t like running, so I will ride a bike, lift weights and do the elliptical.

Unyielding – Just because I go out with friends and eat wings and cheese fries on Friday night does not mean I will eat bad the rest of the weekend. I will be healthy again the next morning.

Positive – I will lose 50 pounds this year. I will drink 12-8 ounce glasses of water each day. I will go to the gym or ride my bike at least 3 times a week.

This is how we RISE UP and acheive our goals. I look forwarding to hearing how you have successfully achieved your resolutions. You will succeed. You were not made to be ordinary, but extraordinary!