Diet and Fitness Plan of Attack for the New Year

Here we are once again at our New Year's resolution. Talk about a Groundhog Day concept. New Year's is the ultimate clean slate. Why not? Let's go for it.

The reason most of us don't succeed with our New Year's resolution is because it's often times an emotional statement we blurt out with no real plan. This is our year people! We are going to do it right in 2008, and we are going to start by creating an organized checklist/plan of attack on how to get it done.

The Plan

1. Depending on your fitness level the first thing you're going to do is get the green light from your doc to say it's OK for you to get going.

2. Map out where your starting point is: current weight, exercise schedule, foods you are eating, and even some basic measurements of your body. It's always great to see where you begin, and it will help you appreciate progress even more.

3. Make a nutritional plan. Sounds crazy, but I want you to map out your meals for the week. Hey, I love spontaneity, but not in our food life. Do not reach for food based on how you are "feeling." No emotional eating; just eat what's on your plan. This will help you stay on top of food, and allow food to control you or sabotage your goals.

4. Create an exercise agenda. It's not going to work to just want to eat better and exercise more. You have to be specific and define what that really means in your life.

• You should have your food journal, which keeps track of the food you eat from day to day, andincludes your original food calendar. This way you can see how close you are to hitting your mark and note which kinds of situations throw you off (i.e. stress, poor planning, etc). Not to mention you will start to see which foods are your Achilles heal and which ones you reach for most often in the heat of the moment. Becoming aware is often times half the battle.
  
• You should create a workout journal. Include your cardio, strength, and even stretching schedules. This should include how many days a week, for how long, and at what intensity you are going to work out. Write it all down.

5. Create a great support system. Figure out who is going to be a part of helping you reach your goals, and who may need to be kept at bay. Even notice if you have certain friends that only want to go out and eat certain kinds of food that may just pull you back into your ways of old. Try to avoid predictable circumstances that will create temptation.

6. Make time for some positive reading. I know it may sound corny, but create some time every week to read inspiring, educational, and motivational material. Spending a small percentage of your week reading materials that are supportive will help reinforce your morale and give a boost to your spirit.

This is it! You can do this, but make a solid plan and be kind to yourself. If you have an off day or week, just get back to your plan. That's one of the best things about making a plan on paper -- you can turn it over to the schedule, and follow what it says instead of your feelings at the moment.

From Yahoo health