For many of us, a New Year means a fresh start.

It’s a time to feel inspired to create new goals and fulfil our ambitions.

We want to help motivate you to create goals for 2020 that will make you a fitter, healthier and happier person.

We aren’t going to sit here and act like it’s easy to stick to a health related goal. It involves the three D’s: Dedication, Discipline and Desire to achieve.

So lets start with the burning question, what is your ultimate health goal for 2020? Most likely it’s a big, vague aspiration – to lose weight, to have more energy or to eat healthier.

While we support thinking about the BIG picture, we believe that the best way to achieve our ultimate goals is to break it down into smaller bite sizes.

Here’s some ways how…

Tip no 1: Stay specific

Many of us are guilty of making big, vague goals. For example, ‘I want to lose weight’ is a common aspiration. But how will you get there? Breaking down your ultimate goal into smaller, every day steps makes it much easier to achieve.

You want to be able to track your progress. How will you know when you have successfully achieved your goal? Maybe your ultimate goal is to lose 5 kg. So your smaller goal is to lose 1 kg every 2 weeks. Setting yourself a specific, smaller target will make it easier to track.

Sometimes it helps to visualise your ultimate goal. If you want to lose 5kgs, pick up 5 kgs of potatoes and feel the weight. This may help to motivate you.

How will you get there? Maybe you will start by taking the stairs instead of the lift into work or walking to the shops instead of driving. Whatever it is, baby steps are key to changing the bigger picture.

Tip no 2: Develop a plan

Once you have defined what your ultimate goal is and broken it down into smaller, achievable goals – write it down! You are in charge of making the changes in your life, so its time you make yourself accountable.

Once you have written down your goal, write down how you are going to get there. Whether it’s cutting down on the amount of sugar in your diet or fitting in 30 minutes of exercise a day, what are the real steps you can take to get there?

Create a plan that is realistic to you life schedule and if you don’t have time, make time.

So let’s use the example of cutting down sugar, what mini goals can you make? You could start by writing down what you eat every day and seeing where your weaknesses lie. Once you have put pen to paper, it’s a lot easier to see where you can make changes to your diet.

Then, create a plan on what steps you can take to cut down your sugar intake. Remember, the more specific the better. So maybe you could not ask for sugar in your morning coffee, cut out soft drinks or say no to the office birthday cake. Whatever it is, write it down, hold yourself accountable and monitor your success!

Tip no 3: Invite a friend

If your struggling to stay motivated, we suggest getting a friend involved. A lot of the time a friend may have the same or a similar goal as you. It’s a lot more fun and social exercising with friends or in a group! Keep an eye out in your local community for exercise groups to join. Exercising in a group as opposed to by yourself will help encourage you to achieve your goal in a more fun, relaxed environment.

LLGA runs free outdoor exercise groups every day right across the country. We provide all the equipment and face-to-face personal fitness coaches. LLGA also gives free tailored nutritional plans to help you reach your goal.

So what are you waiting for? Find your nearest location at the link below.

www.livelifegetactive.com/locations