The Battle with New Year Resolutions

Struggling to keep your resolutions going? No wonder, most people set themselves massive challenges – and then beat themselves up for failing to achieve them!

“I am going to lose 3 stone by March.”

Really?  This means losing 4lbs a week – which means burning 12,000 calories a week (equivalent to walking 120 miles) – is this really going to happen?

Only in a controlled environment can this work. Boot camp works on a model of reduced calorie intake of about 800 calories per day and an average burn of 2,500 calories per day – resulting in at least 1lb of weight loss per day. Therefore the average weight loss is 8-10lbs on a 7 day boot camp.  But to recreate this in your own environment, with the pressures and temptations of everyday life, and the dark evenings meaning less time than ever for exercise, would be close to impossible.

So let’s set better resolutions… ones that will make you proud when you do actually achieve them!  The way to do this is to make them SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely).

1. Specific
– I want to lose 1-2lbs every week for 8 weeks until I next review my results and programme, and I’ll do this by eating healthily (especially avoiding chocolate and crisps) and walking my dog around the park (1 ½ miles) 5 days a week.  It says it all in one sentence.
2. Measurable – Does it have a number? You can then say whether or not you achieved it – i.e. did you manage 5 times? Did you avoid chocolate and crisps – did you have any?
3. Achievable – You’re not going to walk the 120 miles a week described above, so make it achievable – you don’t want to fail before you start. So start lower, and if you achieve your target easily then increase it next week.
4. Realistic – is it? If not then change it!
5. Timely – do you have a check point? For example, in 8 weeks I will review my results and programme.  But I will keep on track before then by weighing myself to see if I am losing the 1-2lbs per week that I set myself. You need a time-frame – otherwise you risk going off track.

Time to make new SMART goals rather than resolutions which usually fail within a couple of weeks!  Keep it going – it is ultimately down to you!

If you do need extra guidance or motivation then Enhance is here to help. We offer:

• Personal training (in a variety of locations) – some of the best instructors in the industry
• Nutrition consultation (in person, or on the phone) – by Caroline Forster (BSc Human Nutrition)
• 7 day boot camps – to kick start weight loss (lose 8-10lbs in 7 days) or improve fitness
• Detox retreat – for those who want more relaxed weight loss and to detox their system
• Bespoke boot camp – if you’ve got a group of friends who want to join in let us organise it for you

www.enhancebodybootcamp.co.uk