either overexerting themselves in the
year as opposed to a deadline as your
simplified, it nonetheless demonstrates
gym to the point of pain, or resentfully
launching point. As you shift your
unattainable resolutions versus
restricting their diets too much. Does
mental focus and embrace the work-
work-in-progress goals. The act of
this sound familiar?
in-progress approach, you will find it
successfully accomplishing our goals
Here’s how to begin. First, remove that
looming, Jan. 1 target date from your
calendar and start creating a work-in-
progress list to replace your resolution
is far easier to overcome unforeseen
circumstances that may derail your
health and fitness goals before, during
and after the ball drops.

is rooted in our language, focus and
attitude, so carefully compare those
three components below. If the goal is
impractical, then success will be too.

line-up. The goal is to focus on action
Below is a work-in-progress sample.

Review your goals every two-weeks to
and accountability all throughout the
While the chart may appear a bit over
tweak or re-adjust.

Unrealistic Resolutions
Work-in-Progress Goals
I will work out 6 days-a-week-starting
Jan.1 and hit the gym hard.

I will aim for 2 hours a week and include some strength
training when I’m ready. If I miss a workout, I’ll try to do
something active that day like walk the dog or play with my
kids. Lose 10 pounds in one month by
restricting my diet.

I will start by eliminating some sweets and replace with
fruit. I will aim for a 1-2-pound weight loss a week.

I will cut out all carbs for rapid
weight loss.

I will start by swapping out some bad carbs for healthy
carbs and adjust as I go along.

I have to eat more fibrous vegetables
because they will fill me up and
speed weight loss.

I will prepare an easy and enjoyable recipe for one
new vegetable this month.

Cold turkey on wine!
I’m going to cut down wine to one time per week, and
enjoy it in moderation at special occasions.

No more coffee.

Keep coffee, but cut from 3 cups to 1 cup (maybe start with
two and see where it goes). Use one creamer instead of
three. If I mess up, I have to start all over
again, and hit it even harder.

If I eat too much or miss too many workouts this week,
I will get back on track.

Failure is not an option!
Progress is my only option.

The work-in-progress method is a far
what I call “Pinterest Perfect.” When
better way to start off your new year,
we fall into this trap, our lives are
and it doesn’t have to stop with your
anything but utopian.

nutrition or fitness goals either. In
fact, it can be applied to any aspect of
your professional or personal life. We
can’t always be the perfect parent (I
Lastly, the concept of being a work-in-
progress doesn’t mean we shouldn’t
try to do our best, rather, it allows us
the mental space to understand that
know I’m not), employee, boss, coach
we are entitled to make mistakes,
or spouse, and yet many of us struggle
learn from them and continually
with the notion that we should be
evolve as individuals.

Rachel Ornstein Packer is a writer
focusing on food allergies, nutrition
and diet. She has written for many local
newspapers and magazines along with
multiple websites and blogs. She recently
became a certified trainer with The Perfect
Workout, a unique 20-minute slow-motion
strength training method. You can
contact her at rachel.packer@
theperfectworkout.com or her blogs
www.lifeisgoodlickthebowl.blogspot.com, www.RachelPackerWriter.com.

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