Hey Chick,

Today we have an awesome guest post from one of our amazing FIT CHICKS Academy Grads Holistic Nutrition Weight Loss Experts, Miranda Barrett! 

We love having our grads share their healthy tips and knowledge especially during this time of year so take it away Miranda…

You’ve heard it before – New Year, New You. But who says you have to wait until the ball drops at midnight to start tackling your health and fitness goals?

Working towards that resolution before the holiday season begins can set you up for success much more than waiting until the year draws to a close.

This year, I took it upon myself to do just that and personally I feel more confident going into the holidays. I have a plan in place and a routine down I can stick to. Plus I’m doing it for me, not because I felt like I had to conform to New Year’s traditions.

Here are 6 reasons why you shouldn’t wait until New Year’s to start your resolution – and why now is the perfect time to start.

#1 Holiday Party Head Turner

You know that holiday party coming up? Make that little black dress work for you. Or heck, treat yourself to a new outfit for that upcoming holiday soiree.  Setting a goal a month or so before the holiday season approaches gives you that extra edge when it comes to looking great for that family or office party gathering. Need I say more?

#2 Less Pressure = Less Stress

This time of year is already stressful enough. Why put more pressure on yourself then you have to?

Achieving goals takes a consistent effort on a good day, but when you add in pressure from peers and loved ones, you’re more likely to toss that resolution right out the window. Working towards a personal goal, on your schedule, means not attaching it to traditions or expectations from others which sets you up for greater long-term success.

#3 Habits Take Time 

By the time New Year’s rolls around, you are well on your way to creating a habit, which makes it much easier to commit to long term.

Whether you’ve set a goal to exercise regularly or include more veggies in your diet, that extra time allows you to set realistic expectations and map out a plan of action instead of jumping in blindly on New Year’s Day.

Plus, having some habits already in place makes the holidays easier to navigate because the behaviour you’ve created has become more automatic by then.

#4 You’re One Day Closer To Your Goal

If you knew your goal was only 90 days away, would you start today?

Procrastinating until the end of December rolls around is just putting off the inevitable.

Think of it this way – every day you wake up is a new chance to wipe the slate clean and start over. Plus, you can accomplish a lot between now and January 1st.

I personally set a goal to commit 30 minutes a day to working out and with that simple habit alone, I have not only upped my endurance but have lost 5.5 inches in just three weeks.

The best part – I now fit back into a Christmas dress I wore years ago!

#5 Your Health Can’t Wait

By taking control of your health, you are investing in yourself.

You can upgrade many other aspects of your life, but you only get one body, so take care of it.

With the rising rate of obesity, diabetes and other preventable diseases, we have to take control of our health not only for our own well being but for the sake of our loved ones.

#6 Add To That Wishlist

If regular exercise was one of your goals, you might need a heavier set of weights come Christmas time, which makes it a great addition to your wish list! Or maybe you want some new workout gear or kicks by the time Boxing Day rolls around.

Take advantage and reward yourself – think of it as a pat on the back for all the hard work you’ve put in so far.

Set Realistic Goals

Instead of setting yourself up for failure with a “big resolution”, try focusing on smaller, more attainable goals. Unlike resolutions, which can often be broad and vague, goals can be broken down into more actionable steps, which makes accomplishing them easier.

For instance, setting a 100 lb weight loss goal might not be realistic if you’ve never worked out a day in your life or only eat a diet of processed food. Focus on more practical goals such as including more veggies in your diet or moving your body 30 minutes a day to start.

Accomplishing these small, but important, milestones will help move you closer to those bigger goals such as weight loss. You’d be surprised how simply implementing small daily habits can transform your life.

Consistency Is Key

The key to any goal you want to achieve is consistency.

Working out once a week for 2 hours isn’t going to get the same result as working out daily for 30 minutes. Putting in an honest effort each day will get you much farther than only working on your goals sporadically.

Remember, goals take time. They don’t happen overnight.

Aim to set SMART goals, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. This also comes in handy for those of us who set too many goals for the new year. Pick one goal, make it specific and ensure it’s realistic to achieve in a measurable timeframe.

Most importantly, set goals on your terms – not someone else’s.

Facts Speak For Themselves

According to Forbes, less than 25% of people who set New Year’s resolutions stick with them more than 30 days and only 8% accomplish what they set out to do.  

Those stats are pretty grim, but not at all shocking, which is why ditching the New Year’s resolution tradition is key if you want to make 2020 your best year yet.