WASHINGTON — So many people make New Year’s resolutions, and so many break them, too.
Personal trainer Fairfax Hackley tells WTOP that a recent study found only 8 percent of people fulfill their fitness-related New Year’s resolutions; 46 percent will give it up after six months.
Hackley says the thing that trips up the most people is an inability to budget time.
“They don’t look at their schedule, and they don’t make the time to do it. We all have commitments … but you really need to look at yourself and say ‘I need to carve out this time each day during the week to get it done.’”
Getting off to a good start is critical. This may be the time of year for eating, drinking, partying and lack of sleep.
Hackley says these things “derail your New Year’s fitness resolution right off the bat.”
You also need a goal, and a realistic one — a certain amount of time spent working out, a certain amount of weight to lose.
“Just saying ‘I need to lose weight’ doesn’t really resonate as well as having that goal in place.”
And don’t make the goal unreasonable, otherwise “you get overwhelmed.”
He adds that you should recognize the importance of a support group of friends, family or trainers around you.
“Get your support in place. … They’re the ones who are going to help you with the follow-up.”
And keep the goals small.
“Cut the time down. Don’t think terms of the whole next year. Think in terms of short periods of time, like three or five days at a time.”
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