Get Fit: 10 Ways to Get Your Fitness Game Plan Going for the New Year (Or Anytime)!

Are you thinking about it yet? You probably will be soon... once all the eggnog wears off and your holiday hangover starts to give you pangs of guilt.

But fear not. Here are 20 ways to get you started up or back on track to a healthier, fitter lifestyle. Take two Alka-Seltzers and read on:

 

Follow Jill S. Brown on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jillbrownfitnes

Comments

[trppnlift]

12:34 AM on 12/26/2011

Nice Article...

http://www.treppenlift.ag

[noahmarder]

04:03 AM on 12/19/2011

You don't need to wait until 2012 to start exercising. In fact, if you need a New Year's Resolution as a crutch to get in shape, your effort is probably doomed to failure.

[Hcg Plan]

12:02 PM on 12/18/2011

The caveman diet to me seems like a great diet for someone who will follow the diet exact. The most important part of this diet is the use of the creative workouts. Find what works for you. Do some research on the caveman paleo diet before you start make sure you like the items offered on the cave man diet food list and that you can find a workout that works for you.

[Dawn Fritsch]

04:54 AM on 12/18/2011

one of my favorite ways to make sure you stay on track is work with your nature, if you hate getting up too early in the morning chances are you wont get up for exercise, then when you hit the snooze button you'll feel guilty as well so you then not only miss your workout you get down on yourself as well. If this is you try some quick high intensity 30 minute workouts at lunch or straight after work, remember the duration doesn't have to be long it just needs to be of a high intensity (this is your level of intensity) not your neighbours

[War of Position]

12:54 AM on 12/17/2011

Getting started can be the hardest part. Do your best to make it part of your daily routine. Get the action turned into a habit. The habit easily becomes an addiction.

Record your starting point. Don't just weigh yourself..measure! Weight can be deceiving when first starting out. Most people find they initially gain weight. Measure yourself again. Chances are you have lost inches. Measuring can also get you through those times when you feel like you aren't making any gains (hit a plateau in your strength or stamina).

Telling your friends your goals is good (we have a tendency to make excuses for ourselves but not to others). Telling friends you see at the gym is even better. They are similarly motivated and usually try and help you succeed (even if it is just cheering you on).

Wanna cheat on your diet? Make it a reward to yourself for reaching a workout, weight or other healthy goal. Don't cheat for free!

[ScreenName05]

09:16 PM on 12/16/2011

I know these items are recommended by most fitness trainer, including my daughter in law who is a great trainer.

I personally have never found any of them to be of any use.

I have found one simple principal to work. Find something you like to do, and can do for a very long time. And then do it, and if you have to stop, then find something else and do that.

I played racquetball ball until it started affecting my back (hitting the ball to hard) after 20 years. I played soccer until I tore up my knees (about 20 years). I played beach volley ball until I tore up my shoulder (also about 20 years). I still row. I still exercise daily. I still lift weights. I still take Yoga. I still hike (usually on flat ground or up hill, those soccer injuries have left me with bad knees). I can still do fifty push-ups without stopping, and fifty sit-ups, and fifty squats, etc.

The point is that finding something you can do, every day or at least every other day, and that you want to do - will keep you fit. If you have to think about it too much it probably won't last.

And ultimately making it last is what will keep you fit for life, not psychological tricks.

[Cognitivebehavioralellen]

06:18 PM on 12/16/2011

@angry mom, I totally agree that forgiving yourself is crucial for permanent weight loss. One of the sayings I like is to have kindsight, i.e. to learn from your mistakes instead of beating yourself up for them which only results in guilt, shame and more eating to cover up those feelings. And yes, realistic, small goals make so much sense--we meet them and feel good about ourselves, which provides the encouragement to set more goals for the future. My best, ellen at www.thoughtfulweightloss.com

[Cognitivebehavioralellen]

10:10 AM on 12/16/2011

These are great tips. Cognitive therapists offer a few more in a funny Christmas carol: http://healthywage.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/shrink-and-carol-12-lyrical-cbt-tips-for-holiday-eating/

[angry mom]

03:25 PM on 12/16/2011

I loved the link. Two others things I think are important. 1. Forgive yourself. We all "fall off the wagon" so don't quit just because you overeat one time. 2. Take small steps. You can't change your whole life at the same time. Set small changes for each month. For exampe, in January eat a healthy breakfast. In February add a healthy lunch.