It's 2012...... time to start believing in yourself!

85% of women in today's society make it a New Years Resolution to lose weight, eat healthier, build up strength, or just stay on track. Did you know that by January 6, 27% of these women have already given up? By the time April rolls around, another 30% have given up! I have read countless times that the number- one cause of this is putting to much upon yourself. Whether the reason is that you don't have enough time, your muscles have become sore, you find it dreadful, or feel uncomfortable around the gym, I feel that it is unacceptable for 57% of women to give up their goals before the year is even half way over. Don't let this be you, ladies. Here are some very useful, helpful, and easy to tips to help you SUCCESSFULLY reach your goal!

• Find your objective- I want to lay off the fatty foods. I want to give up soda for a year. I want to lose 30 lbs in 6 months. I want to run a 5k in less than 30 minutes. I want to be able to be happy with what I see in the mirror. I want to get rid of my muffin top. I want to become a stronger women. I want to take a zumba, yoga, or pilates class. I want to join a gym. These are all great goals (and easy) to have. Remember: You can always add to your ultimate goal. But taking away from it?....that's just discouraging!
• Create your plan- Making a food journal is a great way to keep track of what and how much you have eaten. It is also a motivating tool you can use! Signing up for a class at your gym or for a "fun mile walk or run" with a friend is also a great plan. It is a great way to hold yourself accountable, as you know you don't want to let that friend down! Come up with your plan.... whatever it may be!
• Start off and Build up- Making a schedule and increasing each days difficulty is a great way to stay on track and to see all that you've done! If you are planning starting your journey to running, looking at beginner schedules for "5k" are a great guidance tool. I would recommend (for a beginner) running 1 min, walk 2 min, run 1 min, walk to 2 min, run 2 min, walk 1 min, run 2 min, walk 1 min, and so on. You should do this for about 20- 30 minutes total. Keep up this technique until you are able to run for 15 min. straight, and then you can add on to your schedule. 
• Believe in yourself- All this "2012 New Year's Resolution" jazz may sound great. But, if you're not excited and don't have faith in what you're capable of doing, you will get nowhere. Find a motivational or inspirational quote that you love, and use this as a road block when negative thoughts come into your mind. Write this quote on a sticky note and put it on your bathroom mirror. Whatever it takes to remind yourself that: anything is possible. 
• Let a Friend Know About your Journey- Each week, get in touch with one of your closest friends. Let them know your progress. Ask them to keep after your resolution and make sure that you don't quit. This is also a great motivation. 
• Subscribe to a Fitness Magazine- They have end- less amounts of tips, tools, workouts, races, diets, recipes, etc to keep you on track! Shape, Fitness, Women's Health Mag, Runner's World, Seventeen, Self, and Girl Get Strong are all great ones. 

I wish you the best of luck! You can do it. You CAN. It's all worth it, in the end! 

A man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Giving up is easy, but holding it together when everyone would have understood if you fell apart, now that's true strength!