REGINA – It’s a yearly tradition for many: New Year’s resolutions. We all make them, but they are often broken.
“A resolution or any change of behaviour is not about seeking perfection. If we go into it seeking perfection then I think that sets us up for a lot of frustration,” said Joanne Frederick a Regina-based psychologist.
One of the most popular resolutions happens in the gym. People want a change in lifestyle and commit to working out, but many often fail and has a lot to do with the approach.
“The main problem I think is that they just think way ahead, and they don’t want to do all the hard work to get to here,” said Vanhdy Siphanthong, a personal trainer at Gold’s Fitness.
He says ways to avoid failing can be to get professional help, or having someone with similar goals along for the journey who can provide motivation. And of course making sure you’re enjoying what you’re doing.
“You don’t always have to go into the gym and say hey, I’m going to work my butt off and then totally kill myself today. Just make it a good workout and enjoy the process,” added Siphanthong.
According to Frederick, the common mistake many people make is judging themselves too hard, too fast.
“It’s the all or nothing kind of thinking, either I go to the gym everyday and have a fabulous workout, or if I miss a day then that’s it, I’ve failed.”
Instead she says to create short term goals that are achievable one lift or one step at a time.
“There’s a phrase I like to use, How do you eat an elephant? The same way you would eat a mouse, one bite at a time,” said Frederick.
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