10 Ways to Fitness Success in 2011

It's not the one thing you do well, it's the combination of the little things that is going to ensure you are successful in 2011 to reach your fitness goals.

1)  Set a Goal.  I would recommend setting an overall goal for the year, preferably quantitative(measurable), and then quarterly, bi-weekly, and daily goals for how we can achieve that overall goal.  Don't get carried away in setting too many goals as it will becoming overly stressful and daunting.

2)  Make it Fun.  If you don't like to run, then don't run.  Find something you enjoy doing, whether it be an aerobic class, swimming, walking, biking, joining a yoga class.  The possibilities are endless.  Be creative!

3)  Cut out one bad thing from your diet.  Whether it be the morning 20 oz Coke you buy, or the Caramel Latte with Whip Cream.  Cutting out a Coke a day for 5 days will eliminate 1200 calories a week. Do that for 3 weeks and that equates to 1 pound of weight loss.  Do that for a year, and that is 17 lbs. 

4) Get your family/friends involved. The more people that know about your fitness goals, the more likely you will stick to your goal. Family and friends can be your support system and you can lean on them in times of frustration and weakness. They can also help hold you accountable.

5)  Be consistently good.  It's more beneficial to go to the gym 3 days a week for 5 weeks, then go 5 times for 1 week.  Be realistic about how many times you can workout and stick to it.  Include this in your weekly goals from #1.  It's more important

6)  Moderation is key.  Don't forbid yourself that occasional piece of pizza or cake you want.  Allow yourself some leniency, just keep it in check.

7)  Accountability.  The number one thing we need is accountability.  Whether it be a friend that you meet for workouts, or hiring a trainer or coach - if we someone is counting on us to show up, we're not going to let them down.  If we're paying for the service, we definitely will show up!

8) Eat 5 meals a day.  It's that simple - eating 5 smaller meals a day will regulate your insulin levels and, more importantly, boost your metabolism to burn more calories.  Your energy levels will level out and you won't be starving by 11:00, eat a huge lunch, and ready for an afternoon comatose nap by 1:00.

9)  Have a plan.  Having a fitness plan will take the guesswork and thinking out of a workout.  If it is on paper, you know what you need to do and how to do it.  It will also motivate you to actually workout, and not sit around the gym doing bicep curls while looking at yourself in the mirror for 30 minutes :)

10)  Get educated.  Not knowing what I am doing is pretty stressful and makes me feel uneasy.  I overcome this fear by diving in and learning as much as I can.  You can do the same by utilizing the Internets vast array of resources, or getting in contact with friends who works out or a professional.