We all have done it before. As that shiny ball
drops and the confetti flies we promise, no we vow, that this year is going to
be different. We are going to keep what ever goal we have set for ourselves.
This year we are going to succeed.
But something happens, we get distracted, January
gets busy and one thing leads to another and all of a sudden its February and
our resolutions are lost among the other aspects of life. We don't mean for it
to happen, but it just does. And then we swear to ourselves that the next year
we will change again. It is a continuous cycle that is incredibly hard to
break.
But lets make this year unlike the others, this
year lets actually make it different.
Of
course, most peoples goals are about fitness and overall health. Promises
concerning eating all healthy foods and working out daily or at least a few
times a week. All about loosing weight and looking "beach ready" for
spring break. So here are my four suggestions to make keeping your
resolutions last.
Meal
Preparation
When
it comes to eating healthy the hardest part is planning out your meals. Its difficult to stick to your set diet when you are out all day and only have time to
grab a quick bite where ever you can find it. This is where my first tip comes
in.
The
easiest way to stick to your healthy habits is to plan ahead. You know
that your week is going to be incredibly busy with classes and meetings, so set
a certain time aside on Sunday (amongst doing homework and other things saved
for lazy Sunday afternoons) to make a few foods to last throughout the week.
Make
sure to have lots of tupperware containers and fill them with good foods,
proteins and cooked vegetables. This way when you come home during a break or
after a long day is over instead of swinging past a fast-food restaurant, all
you have to do is heat up your meal. BAM! You haven't broken your promise. Or
if you know you are going to be away from your kitchen all day, pack some nutritious
snacks into your purse or backpack. An apple or some almonds are the perfect
thing to hold you over until you can get a full meal. Make sure you always
have a little something with you.
The
last thing that will help you to stick to your healthy ways is to have a water
bottle or a Camelbak to carry with you. Drinking lots of water is incredibly
important when you are trying to stick to healthy habits. By keeping a
container that you can refill you are more likely to keep drinking then if
you had to buy bottle after bottle at the ridiculous amounts they charge on
campus.
Scheduling
your Workout
My
planner is one of my best friends. Without it my mind would be a mess of
jumbled up dates and times and appointments. Trust me, I know about having a busy
schedule, especially in college.
The
number one excuse people say for not working out or staying active is not
having enough time. Don't let yourself fall into that category. There is always
time to squeeze in a quick workout. Sit down and look at your class schedule,
which days are easier? Maybe those are the days you get in your main workouts
or go to a Zumba or Spin class. Then on the days you have class until what seems like nine o' clock at night allow yourself an off day or you get in
a quick run during your lunch break.
If you don't plan out the time when you are going to go to the gym or even take a
walk around campus there is a bigger chance that your workout will be the first
thing that gets tossed to the side. Make your activity a priority.
Then
on the days that you have a huge test week and you life consists of
studying, class, more studying and then the occasional Netflix break to keep
yourself sane, give yourself an off day! Or if you are really committed take
your note cards and go over them while on the elliptical. Besides there is no bigger stress reliever then a good workout.
Remember,
Write
it down, write it down
The
biggest way to hold true to your healthy lifestyle is by holding yourself
accountable. The best way to do this is by taking time at the end of each day
to reflect. What did you eat? Did you workout? Did you take the
stairs rather then the elevator?
I have
found that I personally enjoy writing all of these things down. I have a
certain notebook that I keep beside by bed where every night I write down my
meals and exercise from that day. Then adding a little extra, I write down
something that I could do better (example: not eating one of the cookies
that was left out for "whoever wants one") and then to end my day on
a positive note I add something I was proud of (example: anything from
running that extra five minutes in the cold or avoiding the Chick Fa La line in the student center). This way you can look back and reflect
on your journey and physically see what things you can work on.
The
most important aspect of documenting is you are that more likely
not to eat the piece of cake when you know you will have to physically write
the words "chocolate covered layer cake" down on paper. It is all about
holding yourself accountable for your decisions.
*In
todays world of smart phones there are apps such as MyFitnessPal that do similar
things with tracking food and activity levels. But there is nothing most
effective then having to write in your own script on a piece of
paper*
Get a
Good Nights Sleep
I
know, I know you hear it every time you talk to your Mom on the phone, but she
is right. Absolutely nothing, not even ten cups of coffee, can make up for a
good nights sleep. It recharges your body, it makes your mind clearer, and it
makes your skin glow. I realize I sound like an advertisement for a sleep
number bed but I am being serious.
Trust
me, I understand being piled under school work and commitments so much that you
feel like you can't take a break let alone lie still for seven hours. But try
your hardest to get your work done early and plan ahead so that once ten
o' clock or eleven rolls around you are headed towards getting into bed. Most nights at least, yes I know social nights don't start till ten. Okay, I'll stop my rant now, but just think how deep you will sleep after your
awesome workout from earlier that day!
Just remember...If you do what you have always
done, you will get what you have always gotten.
And one more workout quote to help you get to
February,
Decide.
Commit.
Succeed.
~2015 is going to be a great year~
-CC
