advertisement

Look back at 2011 to help improve in 2012

As 2011 comes to a close, take a moment to look back over the past year of your life. We're sure there are many things that come to mind. Now, think about how much of your time was dedicated to your overall wellness. Some of you may be happy with your efforts, but others might agree that more time needs to be set aside in 2012 to finally make your health and wellness a top priority.

Let's begin with what you did well over the past year. Maybe you joined a health club or decided to give up fast food. These are definitely positive changes, and you'll want to make them the foundation of your progressive plans for 2012. Make a list of the things you did that you're proud of and find ways to add to each of them.

If you joined a health club, make a commitment to get there more consistently or if you gave up fast food, make sure you're replacing it with healthy food options.

Now, take a look at some of the poor choices you made in 2011. If you gave up on your fitness routine in February or March as many people do, acknowledge it and don't let it happen again this year. Maybe you gained weight because of poor food choices. List those bad choices so you know which foods to stay away from. By acknowledging your weaknesses, you've shown that you're aware of what you're doing wrong, so now you just have to take the initiative to change it.

So, what changes do you really want to make in 2012? You've established what you've done to improve your wellness over the past year as well as what you've done to hinder it. Now it's time to come up with a specific plan. Think of it as a “do this, not that” type of mentality where you make sensible goals that are challenging but realistic. List these goals and put them in a place where you'll see them every day. If you're inactive, look into ways to get your body moving again. A support system of family, friends or a personal trainer can keep you going when you'd rather quit that exercise routine after the first few weeks.

If your nutrition is the problem, talk with an expert about putting together a food plan tailored to your tastes and specific needs. The first step is taking the initiative to change, as there are many people out there that can help you if you have the right mindset.

We believe 2012 can be a great year for your health and wellness if you make the right decisions. Acknowledge your weaknesses, make improvements and set realistic goals to set yourself up for success in the New Year!

Ÿ Joshua Steckler and Mark Trapp are co-owners of Push Fitness, a personal training studio in Schaumburg specializing in weight loss, muscle toning and nutrition. Contact them at PushFitnessTraining.com.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.