Remember those new year’s resolutions that you made about a month ago? Just how are things going? Have you fallen off the wagon, or are you still going strong?

I am just wondering because things over in my camp aren’t going so well. I haven’t been doing as well as I should, and that may be the case for you, as well. If so, it’s not too late to get back up and try again. Remember that old saying — if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. This is definitely one of those times that we should put that saying into practice.

According to an article on the Huffington Post website last year, there are some people who manage to stick with their new year’s resolutions all year long. But for most of us, the end comes far too soon. In fact, a lot sooner than you think.

According to estimates from Foursquare and Swarm, Feb. 4 is the day that you’re most likely to break your New Year’s resolution and never look back. The first Thursday in February is when the uptick in check-ins at the fast-food joints meets the downturn in visits to gyms.

In the weeks following New Year’s Day, there was a 36 percent increase in gym visits, along with a 13 percent decline in visits to fast food joints. But by February, the trends reversed and collided – gym visits significantly declined, while check-ins at the fast-food joints soared.

So, why did I share all this with you? Glad you asked, because it’s time to get back up, brush off the dust and try again. Here are a few tips that can hopefully get us all back on track.

 

1. Acknowledge and move on: OK, so I haven’t done very well thus far; but that doesn’t mean I can’t get it together. Give yourself a break — simply acknowledge it, accept it and move on.
2. Set goals: Know your purpose and set new goals. Identify them: I want to run a marathon. I want to be able to run a mile. Let the sky be the limit. Think big and then break your goal down into small, simple steps.

Example: I want to be able to run a mile by May 1 and work to get to that point.

3. Find a buddy: Get yourself a workout partner. This is someone who will encourage you and hold you accountable for working out and vice versa. It’s always good to have someone there to cheer you on.
4. Build momentum: Start slowly, and ease yourself back in. Building up gradually means that you will get back to your best and avoid injuries and give yourself time to adjust.
5. Track progress: Consistency is the key. You may take pictures of measurements or weight to see where you are in the beginning and track it weekly to see how well you are doing. You also may want to set milestones along the way.
6. Get your groove back: Find something you love, and do it. There are times when you get stuck in a rut, and boredom can make you stagnate. Do what you love. Zumba is one of the best exercises that I have ever done, and belly dancing comes in at a close second. So do a bit of exploring, whether it is running, cycling, climbing, yoga or the like.
7. Spoil yourself: Get some new cute workout gear. This could be an excellent way to reignite that spark to go to the gym — go shopping. Maybe it’s a new outfit or new sneakers that will motive you.

Let’s get back to the grind and work on making the progress that I know we all can. It may take a bit more time, but slow and steady wins the race. On your mark, ready, set, go!

Toi N. Degree, family and consumer education agent with North Carolina State University & North Carolina Cooperative Extension; 704-216-8970 or toi_degree@ncsu.edu.