How to Make {& Keep} New Years Resolutions

If you’re like most of the population, you’ve heard the words “New Years Resolution” thrown around. Since it is the end of December, I like to reflect on my year and see what I want to keep with me as I enter the New Year and what I want to leave behind in the current year. Earlier this month I wrote a little bit on my personal blog about a resolution that I’m completing this year.

Today, I want to share with you another 2012 resolution that I just recently completed. In November 2011 I trained for a 5K. Despite still feeling unprepared and not terribly athletic, I completed my first 5K the following month – and I ran the entire time! After such a victory, Hanna (one of my running buds and coaches) and our friend, Sheena, convinced me to run a 5K each month in the following year.

12 5Ks in 2012. That seemed doable. I hadn’t loved running until I actually built up to it with the Couch to 5K app, and since I had built my endurance and just successfully completed my first 5K, I was on board. A month or two into our goal, we decided we would run in a different city each time. I am proud to say that we did it!!! We reached our goal!!!

I hope this inspires you. Even though many people “fall off the wagon” and don’t set out to complete what they’ve started, you can! You can do it!!! Throughout the year we faced issues with limited finances, busy schedules, sickness, and sometimes the lack of a babysitter, but we were determined. Each time an issue came up, we rearranged things to accommodate when necessary. I’ve got new fitness goals for 2013, and I am encouraged that I can reach them. You can reach your goals, too! Here’s a few tips that I learned this year.

How to make and keep New Year’s resolutions:

1. Decide where you want to be in 2013 (like Sandy wrote about here.) Who do you want to be? What do you want to learn? How would you like to think or speak? How do you wish to spend your time? What has held you back in the past? What will you need to change in order to get where you want to go?

2. Create the plan that you’ll need to follow in order to get there. Write out your new schedule, set an extra alarm, open a special savings account, cut up your credit cards, buy the running shoes, or whatever it is that you need to do to reach your goal.

3. Evaluate the plan. Is it realistic? Is it healthy? Do you have (or can you obtain) sufficient resources in the timeline you’ve plotted out? Do you have the support system needed? The plan should be challenging, but not overwhelming.

4. Start the plan. Even if it’s not January 1st or a Monday, start right now. What can you do today to help accomplish your goal?

5. Stick to the plan. The toughest part is sticking to the plan. Temptations will come, and falters may happen. I am the first to admit that I hit the snooze button way too much and that sweets are my daily weakness. If you stray from the path, don’t just sit on the sidelines! Get back up and keep striding towards your goal!

Here’s the 5Ks that the girls and I completed this year! Some are hosting 5Ks again in 2013. If one is near you, sign up!

January – Lakeland – Hope for Haiti

This was our 1st 5K of 2012 and Hanna took a medal! Love it!

February – Melbourne – 5K Run/Walk for Autism Awareness

My husband joined us this month. He placed and got a trophy! He was so excited!

March – St. Augustine – Spring 4 a Cure 5K

This month was Sheena’s best time! She and Hanna placed with medals! My Mom even joined us and walked the 5K. She had one of the best walking times! (I’m really proud of her!)

April – Oviedo – Zoe 5K

Some gentlemen joined our team this month and they snatched all the medals in their divisions!

May – Lake Mary – The Lake Mary 5K

Sheena and I ran this race and finished on the high school race track.

June – Clearwater – Sunsets at Pier 60

We were shocked when this whole race was on sand…right on the beach! We also started 10 minutes late due to traffic. We bobbed and weaved through families enjoying beach time, but we passed a lot of people and didn’t come in last place! Not too shabby for a 10 minute delay!

July – St. Cloud – Lakefront Run

This was a simple run at a darling lakefront park.

August – Lake Nona – Running with the Lions

We all placed and got medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in our age division!

September – Kissimmee – Kissimmee 5K

A fun night run!

October – Harmony – Lynn Fox Cancer Benefit

Hanna and I both ran while it was freezing and we were sick. But we did it!!!

November – Orlando – Turkey Trot

Cindy joined us for one of the biggest 5Ks we did all year! Such a great way to start the biggest eating holiday of the year!

December – St. Petersburg – The Color Run

We saved the most fun for last as a huge celebration of our year! The Color Run is so fun, and we highly recommend it to anyone even thinking about running or walking a 5K! Bonus! Cindy and my little brother joined us for this race!