-->What’s Your September Resolution?
Phooey on January; it’s got nothing on September. Now is an excellent time of year to make a resolution. It’s the end of summer, you’re relaxed, the weather is lovely. There’s no peer pressure to “do something.” School is beginning and a feeling of productivity is in the air.
There are many reasons why New Year’s resolutions fail. Making a resolution just because everyone else is doesn’t mean you’re actually ready to change. Also, there’s a bit of the “post-holidays let down,” and it’s so easy to hibernate through January, February, and March that beginning something new almost seems counter-productive.
September is ideal! There’s a hint of crispness in the air. School is starting and people are turning their brains on and feeling energized. What better time to begin?
Here’s how to make a September resolution:
- Think about what you’d really like to change. Is there a single thing that’s bugging you that you’d like to improve?
- Research the best way to approach the problem. If it’s quitting smoking, maybe it’s an appointment with your doctor. If it’s losing weight, maybe you need to speak with a nutritionist or find a health club to join. If it’s learn a new craft or skill, there will be lots of training classes starting up.
- Pick a start date. Don’t just run to the bookstore, buy a book, and throw yourself headlong into the challenge. By selecting a date to begin, you’ll need to make sure you have everything you need in place from the start, otherwise you’ll just waste a lot of energy and flame out early.
- Tell someone. By letting your family and friends know what you’re doing, you might find that they’ll jump in with their own resolutions and that’s okay. It’s friendly peer support, not the onslaught of media and peer pressure that happens in January.
- Embrace the challenge! This is going to be fun, exciting, and full of surprises. You just can’t wait to get started! You should feel like a thoroughbred stallion, chomping on the bit for the gate to open so you can attack the course!
- Track your progress. Use charts, journals, or online programs, heck even post-it notes, but track where you started and how far you’ve come. It’ll keep you motivated as you see the changes taking place.
Want to join me in my September resolution? Please post yours below; it doesn’t have to be health or fitness related, just anything that you’d like to do.
What are mine? I have two: to dress better (I kinda live in sweats), and to take a jewelry making class (I’ve wanted to do this for years and I always hesitate and don’t sign up).
Thanks,
Lisa
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Let’s see…I have a goal that by the end of Sept. I will have mastered vertical knee raises. The plan is to be able to do at least 10-20 in a row. A few weeks ago I couldn’t do it all but yesterday at the gym I was able to do 14 (not in a row obviously LOL). So it’s coming along.
The other goal is to start mat Pilates tonight and stick with it and then hubby and I signed up to run/walk the Reggae Marathon 1/2 in Jamaica this Dec. I’m struggling with the running part so we might downgrade to a 10k. That is a huge goal this year!
And I could go on……
Your goals sound great, Lisa!
I love mini-fitness goals, the getting to the next level stuff. It’s amazing when you look back and see how far you’ve come. thanks for adding it Angie. :-)
For the running, think big and work up. Have you done any 5Ks yet? The couch to 5K program works really well. (There’s a post on it here if you do a little search ~ upper left hand corner is the search box). It’s better to train up then pick a big goal and try to get all the way to there … helps keep knees happy. Hope that helps.
L–
Great article! Every September, my hubby and I go up north to a beautiful, remote cabin on a quiet lake with our furry family. We always set our goals for the next year and review the accomplishments of the previous year. It’s a really good way to stay on track. We set fitness goals, financial goals, family goals and personal goals. One of my personal goals this year to to take Italian lessons so I can have a conversation when we go to Italy next year.
Sherry, that sounds awesome … enjoy your upcoming trip :-)
I’m training for 5K which had I kept up my running would be a breeze and no need for ‘training’, but I stopped…so this time I’m goin to run and keep running.
Also want to learn Italian so that’s on my list too! :)
Tara, I have the exact same problem. Whole family was doing Couch to 5K and we just kinda stopped … no idea why … we have a Halloween race to train for!
well here’s to your Halloween race…
I need to get out there and run… I did great beginning of summer, then as school approached, I slacked and have been dealing w/2 weeks of drama that’s kept me from making time to run…this weekend I AM running!!!! Good thing for me is the 5K isn’t til Feb but that’s also bad, cuz’ I know I have time! LOL