New Year's resolutions are easy to make. For many of us they are the same every year. We want to get fit, increase our fitness or simply get up off the couch and move more. We want to watch what we eat and start making healthier choices.
Unfortunately, while the resolutions are written neatly on a sheet of paper on your kitchen island, that piece of paper is sitting directly beside the homemade fudge your wife brought home from the office, or the container of cookies you and the children made on Christmas Eve. The fridge is still full of leftovers and really, it is just plain cold outside, so exercise doesn't seem like a great idea right now.
These excuses are the reason we make the same resolutions every January, and why by springtime we are all setting new goals to be able to look decent in that bathing suit again this summer.
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So, what's the solution? How can we actually achieve our goals for this year?
First of all, we have to get a handle on our diets. This does not mean taking drastic measures or cutting out whole food groups. It means making smarter decisions, eating when we are hungry and only until we are full. These decisions can be made easier by visiting healthy grocery stores such as and avoiding the unhealthy traps of more traditional grocers.
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If you can't visit a healthier store, try shopping on the perimeter of the store, stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and lean meats.
The next step is simple: get moving. Whatever you are doing for exercise, increase it.
Barbara Ball of , recommends walking as the perfect winter outdoor activity.
"Walking around the neighborhood, hiking through the woods, strolling around the lake, these are activities for any weather but, make sure you have the right clothes and shoes to ensure you have a great time," she said.
If you are already a walker, increase either your distance or your speed to burn more calories. If you have thought about moving up to running, make that leap as part of your resolution. Check out Prince George's Running Club to learn more about beginning running programs or races you can use as an additional goal for the year.
For runners, try running faster or farther. Set new running goals. Visit the Prince George's Running club website for race schedules in the area and register for them. This is my main source of motivation. Once the race is paid for, it seems pointless to miss training and waste my money. Having that race on the books helps me to focus my training.
Walking and running are not the only options open to you. Local biking stores like can set you up with the gear you need for an outside ride or a trainer to put your bike on so you can ride inside and avoid the cold all together.
If none of these fitness options appeal to you, get creative and be adventurous. This past year I have been on a mission to try new sports. In the process I have tried Cross Fit, Irish Rowing, Zumba, and the P90X program. While I haven't made any of these a regular part of my routine, I have enjoyed the opportunity to try new activities. If you can't decide which fitness routine you want to try, make a new resolution to try new activities regularly.
Your fitness and diet resolutions can be easily met but nobody is going to do it for you. You have to set up and create a battle plan. You have to be the one to avoid those leftovers and take that first step. It isn't easy, but when the end of the year comes around and you have accomplished something for the first time, you will be able to head into the next year with even more exciting resolutions.
To keep up with local sports, visit www.twitter.com/patchsportsmd.
