New Year's Resolutions

I hate January. I mean, it is nice enough--aside from the frostbite attack launched on my nose. Snow goggles  and leg warmers  are in fashion, coldness creates calmness, and overall, life is good. However, this is with the exception of one very big annoyance: the January gymmer. One would not come to the conclusion that my bleak New Year is the result of an unbearable gym environment, but alas, it is so. In January, all the people who have vowed to lose weight/get fit/be healthy for their New Year's Resolutions flock to my gym and buzz around the equipment that I use throughout the year. Rooms are packed, danger levels are high, unwanted social activity is inevitable, and my iPod  cannot always save me from an approaching newbie chock full of unwanted conversation.  Note to all you out there: don't drag me into your plot of exercise avoidance; although your mere presence in a gym may spur muscle tissue growth, I do not feel accomplished unless I pick up a dumbbell.

In the case of the exercise procrastinator, I can usually avoid conversation by stating, "I am sorry, but I cannot hear you above the Immaculate Collection  track number 6," but there are those who persist. You can tell the true devotees come mid February--this is because they are still there. At that time though, peace has been restored and it reigns until May or June--when the beach house renters need to fit into their super-expensive Versace swimsuits  that were bought a size too small for motivation.

When making a resolution, resolve to finish it. 

Tips for Seeing It Through

Don't go in blindly: Research what you need to do to achieve your goal, and make a plan (hint: if you write it down, you'll be more likely to follow through). Your resolution should not be an impulse, and it should be set well before New Year's Eve. Start simply: It's important to aim high and push yourself, but recognize your limits. Don't set a goal that is too complicated or you will only get discouraged. It may be helpful to set mini goals that build up to a larger one. The more detailed your plan, the more reasonable it will be to follow. Pros and cons: Before you start, make sure you understand the pros and cons of your plan. This way, when you start to lose motivation, you can consult your list and find the determination to continue.

• Plan for the whole year: If you truly want your resolution to be a part of your life, indicate this on your plan. Where do you see yourself by this time next year?
• Get started immediately: The more you procrastinate, the less likely you are to follow through with your goal.
• Get others involved: Don't keep your things secret: the more your friends and family know about your resolution, the more you can count on them to provide support when you really need it. Who knows, you might even find a workout buddy!
• Don't be discouraged by unexpected change: More often than not, things happen that we have not anticipated, and this can be very disconcerting if you are not prepared for it. Don't let changes discourage you; expect that change will occur and make sure your plan is adaptable.
• Keep track: As we said, keeping an eye on your short-term goals will allow you to feel good about your progress. It's all about milestones!
• Stay positive: Don't beat yourself up if you have a bad day. You always have a chance to start fresh tomorrow.
• Keep at it: Experts have found that it takes 21 days for an activity to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality.
• Don't give up: Just because you fall off the wagon doesn't mean you have to wait until the next new year to make a new resolution. Who says you can't have March resolutions, summer resolutions, birthday resolutions, etc.?

Common Resolutions

Here are some useful tools for carrying out common New Year's Resolutions:

Lose Weight
Weight Loss Programs  Choose the right program for you with our Guide to Weight Loss Programs.	Bathroom Scales  ...with body fat percentage calculators  ...with BMI calculators	Health Food Books  Some books to help you learn healthier alternatives to your favourite recipes, and some new recipes too!	Exercise Videos ...for cardio: a guide for every level. ...for low impact: For beginners that want to ease into a routine. Fitness Guide: To learn a bit more about general fitness.	Diet Aids  Meal replacement shakes  Nutrition bars

Get Organised
Wall Calendars  If you write things on the wall, they will stare at you more often and you will be less likely to forget them. It is a good idea to attach one of these babies to your mirror.	Desk Organisers  If you dig into the pencil case only to find a wad of gum stuck to a chewed up pencil, it may be the right time for this.	Cupboard Organisers  Nothing is scarier than an overflowing cupboard. If monsters are living in there, this is a bad sign.	Seat Back Organisers  A little organisation in the car never hurt. People with small children and animals would greatly benefit from this device.	PDAs  A technological version of an agenda but much much more. PDAs can do everything, short of dressing you in the morning.

Daily Planners  If you still like to plan out the day on paper, this item is perfect. Personally, I cannot live without my agenda.	Shower Organisers  Living with more than one person is difficult when it comes to the many shower products in the tub. Eliminate clutter by attaching them to your wall with this handy organiser.	Tool Organisers  If you insist on fixing everything, at least keep your tools in one place so we can hide them more easily.	Organising Books  Learn how to organise anything with one of the many "how to-" organising books on the market.	Storage Containers  If you just throw your junk in these containers and slap on a label, it is much neater than your present method of detection by smell.

Quit Smoking
Nicotine Patches  Slowly releases nicotine into your bloodstream to satiate your craving and eventually eliminate it. Awesome.	Guides to Quitting  Learn how to cope with living nicotine-free.	Air Purifiers  Chances are, you have done some heavy air damage with all that puffing. May want to invest in one of these.	Chewing Gum  or Mints  Oh, Nicorette.   The same functions as the nicotine patch, but in minty bursts of heaven.

Get Fit
Weights  or Dumbbells Increase your strength by doing exercises with these tools.	Exercise Balls  Exercise balls can be used for stretching, weight lifting, and yoga exercises. They are very useful to have around.	Athletic Apparel  Sweat Pants  Sports Bras  Warm Up Suits  Running Shoes	Heart Rate Monitors  Your heart rate indicates the different levels of exercise you are reaching (i.e. cadio, fat burning, etc.) by measuring your heart rate. A good way to make sure you are in the correct zone is to get a heart rate monitor.	Cardio Equipment  For some people, an exercise machine can be very motivating if they must constantly stare at it. If you are one of these people, you may want to purchase one.

External Links

• MyGoals.com: Some successful strategies for following through with your resolutions.
• About.com: More hints for keeping those resolutions.
• MyGoal.com: And even more tips!