Another year is upon us and millions worldwide will make yet again another New Year’s Resolution regarding their current level of health and fitness, mostly pertaining to weight loss. This is the same resolution that most have made for the past 10 years and will continue to make throughout life, unless they take drastic measures, think outside of the bubble and learn to specify a goal or two that will hold them accountable and give them something to strive towards. Without a true goal set, majority will lose interest and stop going to the gym before the first week of February.

Getting a membership to a local gym or buying a piece of fitness equipment are great ideas and will most definitely help you on your way to a happier and healthier lifestyle but none of the above mentioned set you up with a true goal in mind and something to work your butt off to achieve. You need a light at the end of the tunnel or a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow so-to-speak. That is why setting achievable, realistic and motivating goals for yourself is crucial to your success towards a better body and mind.

When I say think outside the bubble here, I mean it. Sure you could set a weight loss of 20 lbs. and become obsessed with daily weigh-ins on the dreaded scale. But this can be quite detrimental to not only ones health but overall state of mind once it becomes an obsession. Let’s think of something far more practical and easier to measure. How about that favourite pair of hip hugging, tight fitting jeans you use to fit into 10 years ago? Or if your clothes are all hideous and horribly outdated why not go to the mall and pick out a new summer outfit you are absolutely in love with. Try it on, find one that fits.... PERFECT! Now, if you chose a large, go put it back on the rack and grab a medium. If you grabbed an XL go grab a large. Got it? The point is to choose an article of clothing or entire outfit that you don’t currently fit into, but would love to wear by summer. This is your NEW GOAL! Forget about the scale.

It's all about specification. Setting goals that relate to your interests and are easy and fun ways for you to track your progress. Couple more examples.

Have an interest in running but can only make it around the track for a quarter of a mile once before slowing down to a walking pace? Why not enter yourself in a half marathon come spring? This should be plenty enough motivation for a running enthusiast.

So you love golf, but find yourself overweight and out of shape? Last year you could barely drive the cart around the course for 3 holes before getting tired from all the steering and getting in and out of the golf cart? Sounds like a problem. A specific and realistic goal for you might be to be able to WALK the entire 18 hole course as oppose to using a golf cart, come spring.

These goals are all specific to your interests and will keep you motivated because of which. They all also give you very easy to measure ways of tracking your progress. Watch as the summer dress fits nicer and looser by the month. Track your progress running quarter mile laps without slowing down, around the track. 1 lap the first week and maybe 4 laps by the 4th week. Or for that first round of golf maybe you were able to walk the front 9 and take the cart the back 9. That’s a huge improvement.... only 9 more holes to go!! You can do it.

 With specific, realistic and achievable goals in place, working out won’t be just another chore with no end in sight. It will become a fun and motivating activity with great rewards just around the corner. Try it for yourself and see the results.