New Year's Resolutions by the Numbers

New Year's resolutions—or, at least, making them stick—is an act of war. After all, you've got overcrowded gyms, after-Christmas designer sales, and winter's trademark lack of willpower to contend with.

So this year, if you want to come out on top, you've got to know your enemy. To help, we rounded up the top stats you need to know heading into 2014—plus some pointers on sticking to your guns.

45: Percentage of Americans who usually make New Year's resolutions

10: Amount by which people who fully commit to making resolutions are more successful at keeping them.

1 in 3: Number of people who ditch their vows by the end of January. Top reasons include being too busy or not being committed to their goals in the first place.

66: Percentage of resolvers who set fitness goals as part of their resolutions.

73: Percentage of those who gave up before meeting their goal.

4: The number of times those same people have given up on their fitness resolutions in the past.

7: Percentage by which men are more successful than women at resolving to exercise.

38: Percentage of people who don't make resolutions in the first place.

The Top American Resolutions:
21% Weight loss
14% Improve finances
14% Exercise
10% Get a new job
7% Healthier eating
5% Manage stress better
5% Stop/reduce smoking
5% Improve a relationship
3% Stop procrastinating
3% Set time aside for self
3% Start a new activity/hobby
2% Improve my work habits
2% Stop/reduce drinking alcohol
1% Assertion/learn to say no

Want to beat the odds? Tell others your goal, says John C. Norcross, Ph.D., ABPP, a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of Scranton and author of Changeology: 5 Steps to Realizing your Goals and Resolutions. "Going public increases accountability and allows for more support," he says.

One of the greatest inventions

I could make smoothies all day.  

Spinach, mango, banana, almond milk.

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.

I discovered I was in denial about my training.  I was not hitting it as hard as I should and not watching my food.  I keep telling myself I was doing fine.  I would say it is OK I missed the gym today.  I will workout tomorrow.  I used the holidays as an excuse to eat the wrong foods. Don't get me wrong.  I think it is OK to indulge, but not over indulge.  Before I knew it. I gained 10 pounds back.  So what does this mean.  Time to get serious again.

                                                  BODY

1. Tracking everything that I eat.  Get back to basics.

2. Daily trips to the gym.  I need to make it a priority. No excuses.

3. Make an appointment with my new trainer to get a plan in place. 

                                                  MIND

1. Remind myself why I am doing this.  This is for me as much as it is for my family. 

2. When I hit a wall, if I can't knock it down.  Find a way over it, under it or around it. 

3. push through those thoughts that intimidate me when I am at the gym.  Everyone had to starts somewhere

                                                  SPIRIT

1.  Pray, Pray, Pray.  “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

2.  Have grace for myself.  I know that I am not perfect.  If I fall short it is OK. forgive myself.  

3.  God is working on me, so he can work through me. 

 

Climb Every Mountain

Had my workout today.  The Y was busy.  I think everyone is starting their New Years Resolutions early. Other then it busy. It was the usual Saturday.  Under Armor man was there. Covered from head to toe.I wish I could take a picture. I don't think I could do justice describing him  It not that he is out of shape. I just wonder how long it takes to coordinate his workout gear.  It has to be as long as his workout. I have said this before. He reminds me of the Wonder Twins.

 Also ran it the guy who is annoyed that anyone with more than 2 % body fat is in the gym. This is the same guy who was annoyed one day when a guy asked him for a spot.  He said if you need a spot for that much weight , you shouldn't be lifting.   He thought he was going to intimidate me.  He stood there watching, clearly annoyed with me.  I just kept doing my thing and added some extra reps. I think he soon got the message and found another place to look at himself in the mirror.

Current least favorite exercise. Mountain Climbers.

The Santa Claus Workout- Looks like even Santa needs to Workout

Good to be Back at the gym

First day back at the gym in a week.  Took time off to allow my groin pull to heal.  I also got hit hard by  a nasty cold.  I am sharing today's routine to show that you can come back from minor setbacks.  dispite the
week away from the gym.  I only gained a pound.  keeping me within that 60 pound weight lose.

I did a mix of exercises. I really didn't have a plan. I started with a 15 minute warm up.  I then did 3 set of each for one minute.  I tried to take only a 30 second rest between each set.  Below are examples of the exercises I did.

I did planks with a punch.  unlike the picture.  I did mine on my elbows.

I am not sure what to call this.  I stand facing the wall, arms in the air and jump as high as I can.  It's harder than it sounds.  

I then hit the kettle bells.  I did 2 different exercises.

                                                                 Kettle Bell Deadlifts

Figure Eights

I finshed up with some incline pushups.  

It was nice to make through a workout with no pain.  

The scale doesn't always tell the truth

Today was another day of achievements. Not measured by pounds, but by pants size and the number of Xs on a label.

Today I tried on some jeans at the thrift store.  Size 44.  They fit.  Just think 6 months I was wearing a size 56 on the verge of a 58.   I have not fitted into a size 44 for a very long time. I am just 1 size away from being out of the big and tall department.  

I also was able to get a new coat at the thrift store.  It has been the first time in a very long time I have bought a jacket with only 2 Xs .  It is still a little tight but it works. Nothing that won't change in the next month.  

It is strange how I am not as light as I have been in the past, but my sizes are lower then they have been at this current weight in the past .   I am learning I can't judge my progress by weight alone.