SMARTER Resolutions This Year
It’s that time of year again. The time when many will try one more time. This will be the year that they’ll actually happen. Yes, this will be the year of the resolution that sticks.
In two months, I could probably start this blog in the exact same way, “It’s that time of year again.” Unfortunately, in most cases it would continue, “The time when we’ve given up. Once again, for so many of us, our resolutions have failed.”
Is writing resolutions a bad idea to begin with? Why do we embrace the fresh start of a new year, only to find ourselves giving up so quickly? The start of a new year can result in so much optimism, which is great! Unfortunately, too many New Year’s resolutions start as just that – an optimistic thought or a downright unreasonable goal that is doomed to fail. This seems especially true in terms of weight-loss or fitness resolutions.
Should we give up on resolutions all together? No, it’s just time to get “SMARTER” with our resolution-making.
Most of us have heard of SMARTER goals, but the concept seems to rarely be applied to resolutions. So what is a SMARTER goal and how can you apply it to your New Year’s fitness resolution?
Specific
Your goal must be specific. Saying, “I want to lose weight” is like saying, “I want to pay for a gym membership and realise at the end of the year that I’ve used it twice”. Easy rewording makes the goal specific. “I want to lose five kilos” or “I want to run a 5K” is specific.
Measurable
Let’s use “I want to lose five kilos” as an example. Perfect. That goal can be measured, in this case literally in numbers. But something like “I want to run a 5K” is measurable, too.
Accountability
If being accountable to yourself isn’t enough, make yourself accountable to someone you care about. Share your goal and ask them to check up on how it’s progressing. Or better yet, work towards your resolution with a friend or family member. Working together is a great way to reach a goal!
Realistic
Pick a goal that is difficult. A challenge can be great motivation. But don’t choose something that’s so unrealistic that you are defeated before you even start. “I want to run a 5K” is realistic for almost everyone. But if you’ve never even run after the bus, you may not want to make your first goal, “I want to run an ultra-marathon”. Save that for next year!
Time-Sensitive
Your goal needs a time limit. It’s possible to say, “I want to lose five kilos” and then put it off. First it’s next week, then to next month, only to find yourself making the exact same resolution next year. Now that you’ve chosen, “I want to lose five kilos”, give yourself a (realistic) time goal. “I want to lose five kilos by mid-March”.
Exciting
If you dread your resolution before it even starts, it’s not going to happen. If you hate running, “I want to run a 5K” is probably not exciting. But if visualising yourself crossing a finish line and accomplishing something that thought was impossible thrills you, then it’s a great resolution. If the goal is weight-related, try to make that exciting, too. Try new exercise classes or fun new healthy recipes to keep your goal fresh.
Recordable
Can you write out the goal and then record its completion? If the answer is yes, you have a recordable goal. Write it down somewhere where you can see it. Look at the goal often to remind yourself of what you’re working toward and record your results. Later, you can remind yourself of success as you work towards your next SMARTER goal.
Are you planning to write fitness resolutions this year? Is it possible to make them SMARTER? The smarter the resolution, the more likely you are to stick with them and enjoy guaranteed success.
Happy resolution-keeping and Happy New Year to you all!
Photography: by Cayusa and bingbing
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