December 31st.. the time where people review the past year, it’s successes, it’s failures and make new goals and resolutions for the new year. But what makes a goal stick? Why do so many resolutions fall by the wayside? Here are some tips on how to make New Years Goals that will lead to success in 2015!

1. Make. Realistic. Goals. Stop setting yourself up for failure. I mean it. No, you ARE NOT GOING TO LOSE 10 POUNDS EVERY MONTH and keep it off. You didn’t gain it that fast, you are not going to lose it that fast. Set a goal of 3-5 pounds of slow steady weight loss. How do you think you will feel after 3 months of hitting your goal of 4 pounds per month? Great! Because you hit your goals. How about if you lost 12 pounds but your goal was 30? Now you are disappointed and want to give up. Give yourself a break and be realistic with what you can accomplish.

(Jumping on a gigantic soap box here…)

2. Stop falling for the latest trends and new “diets”. Guess what works long term? Changing your habits, planning your meals and exercise, going grocery shopping weekly, reading food labels, etc. Not cutting out major food groups, being scared to anything with a GMO in it, jumping on the latest cleanse, fast and fix. Stop the nonsense. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!!! When it’s all said and done, and your fix, cleanse or “diet” is over, you STILL Need to learn how to eat, what to look for on food labels, how to prepare healthy meals for you (and your family) and how to maintain your weight loss. Save your money this new year. Instead, invest it in some gym equipment for home use, a membership that you will actually use, a personal trainer to get you jump started with your fitness, a Registered Dietitian to sit down with you to review your diet and exercise goals. Make this the year you make permanent changes in your health. Not temporary ones.

3. Be accountable! Write your goals down and keep them somewhere close where you can review them often. Better yet, set a reminder in your phone or calendar to pop up every month so you can review your progress. Make a pact with your coworkers to bring your lunch every day. Meet a friend for a workout twice a week. Tell people you are quitting smoking. Start a food log so you are held accountable for those food choices. Accountability works!

4. Reward yourself! Make those small goals but also make some rewards to go with it. It’s fun to be rewarded when you have met a goal! Did you lower your blood sugar under 100? Did you go down a size in pants? Are you able to run a mile without stopping? Reward yourself! (BUT NOT WITH FOOD! lol). Some ideas:
Every time you hit a monthly goal, put aside $50-100. At the end of the year plan a trip!
Get your nails/hair done
Get a massage after your hit your first 15 pound weight loss
Sign up for your first 5K when you complete 1 mile of non stop running
Buy yourself a new outfit for work or for exercise when you hit a major goal.
Get that heart rate monitor or GPS tracker you have been eyeing.

Make it fun! Here are some great healthy New Years resolution ideas!
* Avoid soft drinks and teas that are sweetened with sugar or artificial sugars
* Take the stairs instead of elevator
* Exercise right after work
* Park your car at the opposite end of parking lot (when safe to do so)
* Get only the smallest portion sizes when eating fast foods (kids meals)
* Include vegetables or fruit at all meals
* Bring your lunch 4 days a week
* Walk on a break at work daily
* Train for a local 5K race (www.chicagoaa.com)(I hear the Run to the Pub programs can help you train for a 5K 🙂
* Share an entree when eating out
* Start an exercise group with friends or colleagues
* Run a half or full marathon
* Get your yearly physical
* Learn a new sport
* Eat only when hungry
* Drink at least 7-9 glasses of water per day
* Go grocery shopping once a week
* Moderate your drinking
* No late night snacking
* Try a new sport

Cheers to a happy and healthy 2015!! Comment below on your health and fitness goals for 2015!

~Kelly