Time to check in on all those New years resolutions. One of the most important things to make sure that is in place is a support system. I know that this sound a little corny but, read on. The New year comes along and with it a renewed sense of commitment to all the things that didn’t happen the previous year. The business goals, more time with family and the ever popular health and fitness goals.

You join the gym a few weeks later than we had hoped but, hey you were busy. As we start our new program its like the first day of school. You have our new sneakers, “outfits” and bag. Maybe even a fresh hair cut. After all its a new beginning. At first you are proud of yourself, you feel better and the change of routine seems to consummate the new life path.

What happens more often than not is that by March you find ourselves watching the last 9 months of your one year gym membership fly away in the breeze. Why? The case is usually that deep down you are second guessing your ability to sustain this regiment. This internal resistance is further supported by family, friends and the media.

Our family is not fully enrolled because it means that they are going to have to adapt to your new schedule. They are so use to your usual ways of being and any change at all is at least a little threatening. Additionally, if they have not decided on any new goals for themselves then all you are doing is putting a mirror in front of them simply by engaging in your new program.

Friends respond similarly to your priority shift and make small, “harmless” comments that seem to linger longer that all of the supportive ones. Im sure they don’t mean anything by it. Its small. Just one of them seems to whittle away at you and not by repetition but, because the couple of comments made, just jokes, seem to have put a slow leak in your momentum. Once you feel the momentum shift familiar patterns of years past flood back in and now we are looking at next year or beyond before we gather enough gumption to really get back on the horse.

The media has set us up for this through promoting diets, programs, pills and get fit quick schemes. It has a lot to do with the language we use. The word diet for example is often used to refer to a temporary effort. We are ALWAYS on a diet. We are either on a good diet or a bad diet. Period. “Fitness program” also sets us up for temporary efforts rather that a lifestyle choice.

The remedy to these pitfalls are this. First, get a workout partner who you know is committed to one year of sustained, consistent diligence. Sign a contract if you need to, even if its on a napkin. Before the next new year renegotiate for a plan of equal or greater commitment or find a new partner. Or hire a fitness professional that will hold you accountable to reaching your goals. Interview them for the job. This is important. Its your health, body and longevity on the line hear. If you are the type that will not work out unless you have a little motivation then find a way to get it. If it doesn’t work out you may have to “unhire” them and find a new one. Might I recommend a well trained Pilates instructor!

The point is that there is no other and or better way to improve your health than to exercise. Mr. Pilates said “physical fitness is the first requisite of health” and continued by saying that “physical fitness can neither be attained by outright purchase nor wishful thinking”. Nike shortened this idea into “Just do it”.

Physical exercise is the fountain of youth. One can literally stop time through exercise. If you think that this is grandiose then, its just your resistance talking. Consistent, increasingly intense exercise will result in you being by all measurable indicators, aside from your drivers license in ten years from now. Im not kidding. Literally younger. Don’t take no for an answer. Good luck!

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