New Year, New You!!

danny_olszowy By: Danny Olszowy, CSCS
The Master’s Academy Strength & Conditioning Coach
Sports Performance Specialist

SPECTRUM, Inc

The New Year Resolution phenomenon is upon us. At the turn of a New Year, 45% (see citation below) of people tend to make resolutions for the coming year. We like to reflect on the past year and ask ourselves – Was I able to accomplish my various fitness goals? Did I stick with them this year? Is there something I want to achieve in 2017 that I couldn’t in 2016? As you know, these new goals upon the dawning of a New Year have been affectionately coined New Year’s Resolutions.

New Year’s Resolutions derived from people being motivated for a fresh start. Seen as an opportunity to turn over a new leaf at the beginning of a brand-new year. In theory, these aspirations seem brilliant and opportune. Obviously, the problem has lied within the follow through and stick-to-itiveness of our innate lazy and complacent nature. According to a New Year’s Resolution study conducted by the University of Scranton, Journal of Clinical Psychology in October 2016, only 8% of people successfully achieve their resolution. Honestly, that is even remarkably lower than I would have guessed, but nonetheless this statistic is a reflection of how we are. So, the question that looms is – why make New Year’s Resolutions at all?

Having been in the Health/Fitness industry for nearly five years now I have always scoffed at the concept of New Year’s Resolutions. Unrealistic goals coupled with quick-fix attempts after years of abusing your body do not bode well for accomplishing the lofty objectives. The end goals normally set require a lot of action in order to accomplish them. However, using this time of year to begin thinking toward the possibility of attaining or even striving for a certain objective is fine, though. What cannot happen is being content to setting goals, but not taking immediate action.

The first action should be using this time of year to take advantage of all the promotions fitness companies are doing (click here to check out our discounts). Numerous companies offer discounted individualized fitness-training, classes, physical therapy, nutritional consults, and even sport-training packages this time of year. It would be advantageous for anyone to utilize these services at a discounted rate. Taking action toward your goals doesn’t have to start at the beginning of a new year, but at a time when there are so many promotions being offered, utilize them! You get to take a step toward achieving your goals and save some money at the same time.

Secondly, I urge you to not think of new goals you may have as “New Year Resolutions.” Those are trendy and flaky at best when it comes to execution. Consider them “lifestyle-changing goals” instead. Trying to accomplish something daunting or challenging requires consistency. You have to consistently make good decisions with your diet, continue to workout despite fatigue and soreness, and constantly combat complacency. Any lifestyle-changing goal is not going to be easy, but it will be worth all the hard work in the end.

In conclusion, I urge anyone who has goals they have always dreamed of accomplishing to take steps toward those goals. Take advantage of the promotions being offered. Fix your mind on the grind of changing your lifestyle, not just making a declaration of what you’d like to achieve. Taking action will turn your dreams into a reality and open up the door to limitless opportunities. You’re the only one that can carry out your ambitions, so take them by the horns and steadily put in the work each day and you will be blown away with what you can accomplish.

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