Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Progresso™ through their partnership POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about Progresso™, all opinions are my own.
Happy New Year everyone. Can you believe it is 2015 already? If you are like me you are extremely excited about the opportunities the future holds. If you are also goal-oriented like me I am sure you set some health and wellness New Year’s resolutions for yourself so you can be the healthiest you possible.
Here’s the official Internet definition of New Year’s Resolution: A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice, such as opening doors for people beginning from New Year’s Day.
Well failing to plan is planning to fail as the old adage goes. Meaning, just wishing and saying it won’t make it happen. Last year I made some lofty resolutions (run a half marathon and run 2014 miles throughout the year) that I did not achieve. On the other hand I set new resolutions (30 days of drinking green smoothies in January, running a sub-30 minute 5K) that I smashed. These ultimate tips to resolve your resolutions in 2015 will make the difference in whether you achieve your goal or it falls by the wayside collecting dust with other unachieved resolutions. Not this year, not this time.
Ultimate tip #1: Get real – be realistic with your goal(s). If you want to run a half marathon I salute you. But if you have never run 2 miles consistently ever, then you may want to consider how you will make running a half marathon happen. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Perhaps start with a 5K and see how that goes and then slowly increase your mileage races. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but every day they were building.
Ultimate tip #2: See big, think small – I think this is one of the few times thinking small helps you. Set a big or lofty resolution but come up with smaller incremental milestones that gets you closer to achieving that ultimate goal. For instance, with that half marathon example, map out a daily, weekly and monthly plan for your training walk/runs that slowly yet consistently increases your distance to improve your strength and endurance to ultimately run 13.1 miles. Don’t be short-sighted or look for instant results. This kind of thing takes time.
Ultimate tip #3: Fuel up – this tip may seem random but it isn’t. In whatever you set out to do make sure you have the proper fuel to go the distance. With health and fitness-related goals, eating nutritious meals and snacks will give you the energy and strength the body needs to physically accomplish the activity. To use the half marathon example (see a theme here?) if you haven’t been eating the best, eat nutritious food to fuel your body and improve your endurance so your body can go the distance. Progresso™ Light soup is a great option. Progresso™ Light soup has 40 delicious flavors at 100 calories or less per serving, serving up a filling bowl of nutrition.
Ultimate tip #4: Set a timeline – in my mind resolutions and goals are meant to have a deadline. Things can’t linger in perpetuity otherwise they may never get done. That’s the Type A in me. LOL. Set a realistic timeline to achieve your goals. Using the marathon example, if you haven’t ever run or run long distances, it may be best to sign up for a marathon race that gives you time to train properly like 9 to 12 months. That way you have the time to properly train to be successful with the goal.
Ultimate tip #5: Celebrate – when you achieve a milestone or reach your ultimate goal celebrate your success because who doesn’t like a party? Celebration is an awesome way to keep you motivated and pushing towards your resolution because it is something to look forward to in addition to goal achievement. Celebration doesn’t have to be a party. It could be a spa treatment, getting that gorgeous workout gear you always wanted, travelling to an event, etc. You get the idea. Whatever motivates you can be a part of that celebration. I was told this a long time ago and discounted it but have since reconsidered – it is effective. We love being celebrated and getting rewards for our hard work so now it is part of the resolution achievement arsenal.
What tips do you incorporate to ensure success with your new year’s resolutions?
23 Replies to "Ultimate Tips to Resolve Your Resolutions in 2015"
CARLA January 12, 2015 (9:26 am)
YES I LOVE THIS.
For sure see big think small—youve captured it so beautfully.
o
aimee fauci
Twitter: houseoffaucis
January 12, 2015 (10:02 am)
I have stopped making yearly resolutions for many reasons, however I try to make daily resolutions. I have to take it day by day.
o
Annmarie
Twitter: fitfoodiemama
January 12, 2015 (10:20 am)
Love this! I think the best way for me to stay on track is having a plan and writing it down. I tend to stick to something if I assign myself the task ahead of time. I also try to only keep healthy choices in the house so I don’t binge eat all the chips out of hanger 😉
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 12, 2015 (10:31 am)
Me too Annmarie re: healthy snacks. If I have anything in here that I am working to curb its a wrap.
jenny temcio
Twitter: dapperhouse
January 12, 2015 (10:26 am)
Such wise and real advice for resolutions! I am making much more success by setting smaller goals with timelines. I wanted to run a mile in December and didn’t get there so I am trying again in January. I am also trying to lose some weight, so the 100 calorie Progresso soups to keep me fueled and warm in Chicago will totally help!
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 12, 2015 (10:32 am)
Jenny their soups are really delicious imho.
Deborah
Twitter: deborahbrooks14
January 12, 2015 (10:50 am)
Being realistic is the most important thing for sure and that’s where people easily get derailed. I havne’t had their soups in years.
o
Elle
Twitter: eatrunsail
January 12, 2015 (11:33 am)
Think small… yes, I prefer to focus on the process and then the outcome will take care of itself!
o
steph
Twitter: FitMomTraining
January 12, 2015 (11:50 am)
Definitely #2!!! So many do it the other way around.
o
Jamie King
Twitter: jamiekingfit
January 12, 2015 (12:02 pm)
Such great (and realistic) tips for goal setting, LOVE it! 😉
nerline
Twitter: fromhair2toe
January 12, 2015 (4:15 pm)
Thinking small is key. I hate to set unrealistic goals. I love the celebration part, too.
Running Hutch
Twitter: CoachHenness
January 12, 2015 (5:32 pm)
Awesome! This is similar to the SMART goals and I totally agree that you have to have a time limit on the goal, whether that’s race day or whatever is realistic to do X by X time. 😀
o
Kerri Olkjer
Twitter: kerriolkjer
January 12, 2015 (5:33 pm)
Great tips! I absolutely set deadlines. It helps me focus.
o
MCM Mama
Twitter: mcmmama
January 12, 2015 (7:52 pm)
Yes on the figure out the small steps to reaching the big goal! Milestones are so very important.
o
Ashley
Twitter: apstyle
January 12, 2015 (9:09 pm)
Hi Diatta! Great tips! I agree with making realistic goals and checking in with yourself along the way. Here’s to a great 2015 for us all! 🙂
o
Yvelette
Twitter: YveletteStines | CalmingCorners
January 12, 2015 (9:47 pm)
Great tips, I like deadline idea, I am very deadline driven I also like the small steps and celebration. First time here, I will read more. Great post and blog!
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 12, 2015 (10:18 pm)
Thanks for stopping bu Yvelette!
rachel January 12, 2015 (10:03 pm)
Yes. yes. Yes! Thinking SMALL is totally key! 🙂
o
RFC
Twitter: runfastermommy
January 13, 2015 (8:21 am)
I like #5 the best! We are always so hard on ourselves, but fail to celebrate when we achieve goals we’ve worked so hard towards!
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 13, 2015 (8:47 am)
Heather – #5 was for me. I forget to celebrate.
Janice- The Fitness Cheerleader
Twitter: fitcheerldr
January 13, 2015 (6:39 pm)
Great tips! I use quite a few sport psychology tips that I learned from my undergrad for my resolutions, though the hardest resolution for me is always the eat better one. No matter how hard I try I still cave in to cookies if they find their way into my house 🙂
o
Earl-Leigh
Twitter: EarlLeighDesign
January 14, 2015 (5:46 pm)
I like to write it down and tell anyone who will listen. Especially the family members who love to remind you of what you said. LOL
o
Jasmine
Twitter: chiselpt
January 16, 2015 (4:53 pm)
Such great advice! So glad I’m already on track with it!