Year after year, “getting into shape” is among the top resolutions for the average American. And year after year, only a small percentage of these people actually achieve their fitness resolutions because the goals that are set are either too vague or unrealistic. Resolutions are like anything else in life worth having because you do have to work hard for their success. The top health related resolutions are: (1) To lose weight, (2) To eat better, and (3) exercise more. These goals are good but in order for them to be great one should use the S.M.A.R.T. method when making their 2008 resolutions.

The S.M.A.R.T. method means:

Specific - The goals must specifically tell what is to be accomplished. They should never be vague and easy to identify.

Measurable - The goals must be measurable so there is no question of attainment. Examples of measurement would be number of pounds or the ability to complete a mile.

Attainable - The goals must be reasonable and not out of your capability. Easy goals do not motivate and overly difficult goals may frustrate.

Relevant - The goals must be relevant to your particular interest, needs, and abilities.

Time Bound - The goals must be time bound with specific deadlines for completion.

In addition to the S.M.A.R.T. method, there are a few tips below to help you successfully achieve your 2008 fitness resolutions.

- Reward yourself for a job well done - Give yourself little goals on the way to a bigger goal and reward yourself along the way. Remember that although having incentive(s) is a great thing, you should try to make sure that the reward is non-food. Rewards can vary depending on the person but it could be something like a massage or a new set golf clubs.

- Try to avoid goals that you have unsuccessfully achieved in the past - You don’t want to keep disappointing yourself and creating frustration in your life. And you also don’t be a quitter either, right? So if you are going to try an unsuccessful resolution you’re your past, then you should try modifying it some so that you have a better opportunity this time around of achieving success.

- Make a plan - At the end of December, you should write out your 2008 resolutions in great detail and the necessary steps to achieving them. You can look at your life sort of like a business and every successful business needs a business plan, right?

- Get Professional Assistance - We all need more than a friend sometimes to help us out in different areas of our life and when it comes to fitness it is no different. Research has shown that acquiring assistance from a certified fitness professional will drastically improve a person’s success rate.

2008 can be your year to achieve whatever goal that you set for yourself. Just remember that there is a multitude of ways that one can achieve success and by following the tips that we just covered, you should be better equipped to be successful in your quest.

Happy New Years