It's that special time of year again, the post-holiday mass-exodus to the local gym and health food store. Most of us have resolved to get back on the fitness track and want to stay there. (This IS a good time to find a great deal on a gym membership, so use that to your advantage if your plan includes finding a gym.)
But no matter how you plan on taking on your fitness and nutrition goals this year, you won't be rockin your resolution if you run out of resolve.
That's right. You can have the best exercise and diet regimen in the world, but it you run low on mo-jo, you plans will fall to the wayside faster than a re-gifted sweater.
In fact, according to this article from The Wall Street Journal, 88% percent of resolutions end in failure. Yikes!
But also outlined in the article is research that just might save your 2010 fitness plans. Cliffs note version:
Willpower is a finite resource.
If you use your willpower to fend off temptation in one area of your life, you are less likely to hold up against temptation in another. And less likely to adhere to your plan to exercise.
This is partly due to the fact that we tend to think, if we are "good" in one instance, we "deserve" to indulge a little in another (ie. "I did that extra 15 minutes on the elliptical today, I think I've earned a donut.")
Willpower also takes a physiological toll.
Resisting temptation uses up brain power and depletes your body's main energy source, glucose.
So how can you use this information to avoid resolution crash and burn?
Don't bite off more than you can chew.
Don't take on too many changes at once. Choose one goal and focus only on that one goal. When you feel like you've made the kind of progress you wanted to see, then start on another.
Know your enemy.
Make a list of your typical fitness pitfalls and budget your willpower accordingly. Remember to figure in non-fitness trouble-makers too. For instance, if you have a weakness for shopping, know that resisting those shoes on sale at the mall might make you feel more entitled to buy an ice-cream on the way out.
Schedule rest and reduce stress.
Being tired, hungry or cranky will make it harder to stick to your goals. Find ways to sneak some fun, relaxation and healthy snacks into your day to keep up your willpower energy reserves.
