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2023 is behind us and we are looking forward to 2024! Have you thought of a New Years Resolution? To start, a New Year’s resolution is a goal or something you choose to do differently for the upcoming New Year. These resolutions can be about exercise, nutrition, hobbies, changing a habit, trying new things, and so much more.  Most people often set a high goal to achieve as their resolution. Let’s go over some health and fitness New Year’s resolutions. Some of these resolutions can be:

• Drink more water every day
• Stretch every day.
• Complete a step goal
• Be able to complete a certain number of pull-ups, push-ups, squats, and etc.
• Train and run a 5k
• Work out a certain number of times a week
• Add movement minutes to achieve recommendations for physical activity.
• Try a new exercise each month
• Workout 12 days in a month
• And so much more…

Having too high of a goal to achieve can cause someone to lose sight of the resolution they are working on. A way to help you achieve your resolution is to plan a “SMART” goal. “SMART” stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound. Here is an example of a SMART fitness goal.

Specific: (what do you want to accomplish? Be specific.) Train and complete a half marathon by the end of 2024.

Measurable: (how will you measure your goal and track your progress.) I will keep track of the distance and time I run with my watch.  I want to increase my distance gradually each week.

Achievable: (when do you want to achieve this goal? Make sure the goal isn’t too far out of your reach.) I want to complete a half marathon within the year of 2024. This gives me plenty of time to train and pick the best race for me to complete.

Realistic: (to avoid setbacks, make sure you know what you can handle and be successful.) I will train at least 3 days a week for the half marathon, so I don’t get burned out. I also will increase the distance I run each week.

Time bound: (a time frame you want to commit to. This can also be a mid-way point goal and then you complete another time for another goal.) I want to complete a half marathon before 2024 ends. I will start with achieving a half marathon distance a couple months before race day and then continue to work on speed.

Remember to stay positive, prepare for obstacles, and have fun. Completing a New Year’s resolution can be difficult, but it can be 100% achievable. Especially if you set a “SMART” goal to help you. If you continue to work hard and understand that sometimes you might hit a bump in the road, you will know how to continue through your New Year’s resolution. Work hard and have fun in 2024. Happy New Year!

MaKayla Bullock is an exercise physiologist at the ECU Health Wellness Center in Washington and can be reached at 252-975-4236.