By Craig Lindberg

 “The Skinny” is a Fitness column by Craig Lindberg (left), CPT and Founder/Co-owner of Optimal Performance Center in Shrewsbury (www.opcfitness.com). If you have a question about training, nutrition, bodybuilding, or anything else that falls under the topic of Fitness, please send it to craig@opcfitness.com.  Craig will answer one or two questions each month, so check here as soon as a new issue of Pulse hits the streets to see if he’s chosen yours!

HAPPY NEW YEAR….Here We Go Again.

January 1st, 2012.

I’m at a loss, deciding which cliché to use where: “This is the year.” “No more excuses.” “Carpe diem!”

No matter how you say it, IF you say it, you’re one of them. A resolutioner.

If you take an honest look in the mirror, you were probably saying the exact same thing at this exact same time.

So ~ what can you do differently in 2012 to make getting in to shape a reality instead of a doomed-to-fail resolution?? What steps can you take to actually SEE some results?

Why, I’m glad you asked!

Q: I am a 42 year old mother of two. I have gained about 25 pounds over the past few years after the birth of my second child. I have started every year with the same mantra; “This year is about me!”, and each year I seem to be right back where I started, maybe even a little behind. What can I do to stay on track with my weight loss goals?
– Mary Beth, Millbury

A: First things first, Mary Beth. Make sure the goals you are setting for yourself are realistic. Don’t expect the drop all 25 pounds in the first 2 weeks, or even the first two months, for that matter. In fact, you may not need to lose 25 pounds at all! If you are serious about obtaining your goals, consider hiring a personal trainer; personal trainers may be a bit more expensive than your traditional gym membership, but they offer more individualized instruction, knowledge and support for your particular goals.

If personal training is not a viable option, focus on your eating.

Anyone can join a gym, hop on a treadmill for an hour a day and lose some weight. You will not, however, achieve your ultimate goal if you are not feeding your body properly. Eliminate the obvious offenders to your diet and plan to keep in that way for at least 6-12 weeks. “Cheat days” or “cheat meals” break the consistency your body needs in order to effectively change the way it processes fuel. Being good just some of the time, especially early on, will not shrink that waist, butt and thighs.

Ultimately, you have to be making this change for the most important person in your life…you. You have to want to make the changes necessary to facilitate your goals. Making them for any other reason is bound to put you back in the exact same place saying the exact same things. Only difference is you’ll be another year older.

How much longer are you willing to wait?