Now that we are well into the New Year, it’s time to review where we stand with regard to those resolutions we made to get fit or lose weight.  For those of us who were specific about what we wanted to achieve, and who put together a programme with those goals in mind, there have probably been difficult periods and there will be more to come; however, our clearly defined goals and balanced programme should have helped to keep us on track.  Anyone who just said something like “I am going to get fit this year” or “I want to be slimmer” is probably wavering now, but it’s not too late.  Don’t give in; stop, take stock, define those goals, write that programme, and get back on track.
Define the goals.  Write down exactly what you want to achieve and when you want to do it by.  Be realistic, but be ambitious.  If you want to lose 20 pounds, say by what date you want to be 20 pounds lighter.  If you want to get fit, define “fit”; Do you want to be able to cycle 10 miles, walk 3 miles, jog 5 miles or race (better) over 26.2 miles?
Write the programme.  When you know what you want to achieve, write a programme with those goals in mind.  Detail the activities, including the type of exercise, the duration and intensity, as well as the days of the week and times of day that you are going to do them.  Also write down who is going to do them with you.  It is so much easier to train with a friend or a personal trainer.
Finally, remember that you made your resolutions because you wanted to change.  Just because you haven’t achieved 100% of what you wanted doesn’t mean that you have failed completely.  As a general rule, if you can do the right things for 75% of the time you will get much more out of life than you will if you are always striving for perfection.  Even an improvement of 10% is better than no improvement at all.  Very little that is worth having comes easily; keep at it.  Fight through the lows and celebrate the highs.  Don’t give up now and leave it until 2011 - it may be too late by then.  Change your life today.  

Mel Richards runs RFH Fitness, which is based in Antequera and which offers fitness and weight-loss holidays throughout the year.
www.rfhfitness.com
Tel +34 952 840 631