The New Year's Resolution Trap

New Year's day...it never fails to evoke feelings of hope and renewal, but is it really a trap?

You've been handed a proverbial clean slate - another chance to shrug off your bad habits and reach for your dreams.

In an attempt to bottle that New Year's vigor, you'll make a few New Year's Resolutions. But before you put pen to paper, you ought to know this:

It has been reported that 92 % of all New Year's Resolutions end in failure. That means that less than 1 out of every 10 people will successful accomplish their resolutions in 2009.

Ouch - those statistics are brutal. Who in their right mind would take the time to make resolutions when failure is that imminent?

As your trusted source for fitness advice, I'd like to coach you though this sticky situation. Yes, most people fail to achieve their New Year's Resolutions. However, I am going to clue you in on what the 92% do wrong and teach you what the 8% who succeed do right.

First up, the 92% who failed. These well meaning folks shared a common mistake that put the nail in their coffin before they'd even begun.

They bit off more than they could chew.

In all the excitement of becoming a better person and changing their life in the New Year they made the crucial mistake of committing to do too much. But reality set in, a few weeks or even days into their reformed life, and they gave up.

The 92% gave themselves an easy way out. They approached their resolution with an 'all or nothing' attitude. Once the 'all' became too tough they opted for 'nothing'. And just like that another resolution ended in failure - end of story.

Now let's examine the 8% who succeed with their resolutions year after year. The key to their success is quite simple (you may have even guessed it by now). They set realistic goals. I'll repeat that... they set REALISTIC goals.

• Instead of resolving to lose 50 pounds by June, they commit to exercise 3-4 times each week.
• Instead of resolving to give up all carbs, they commit to bring healthy snacks to work instead eating from the vending machine.
• Instead of resolving to drop 3 sizes in 3 months, they commit to losing 1 pound each week until they reach their desired size.
• Instead of resolving to never eat out again, they commit to eating healthy all week and rewarding themselves with one meal out on the weekends.

Do you see the difference?

If you want your resolution to stick then think of something simple and realistic. Sure, it certainly won't sound as cool as the resolutions that the 92% make - but they aren't going to keep theirs anyway.

Remember that the whole point of making a New Year's Resolution is to become a healthier, happier and more successful person. Small changes done consistently will make a big difference.

If your New Year's Resolution has to do with losing weight and getting into great shape (and whose isn't?) then guarantee your success by working with a fitness expert who can show you the ropes and guide you to success.

I'd love to team up with you - together we will transform your body in 2009! Call or email to get started today.

Grocery Tour with Martha Mckittrick

NYC Adventure Boot Camp held its first Grocery Shopping Tour with nutritionist Martha Mckittrick, a New York City based certified dietitian, in mid November at Manhattan's 84th Street Dagastinos.


Even the BEST weight loss program can fail if you are not feeding your body the right kind of healthy food.

Come join us and learn how to shop healthy! Sometimes what you think may be good for you actually isn’t. Martha takes you on an hour tour and assists you on filling your basket with the best foods for you body. Ask questions and get the right answers.

Click Here>>>Join NYC Adventure Boot Camp for its next Grocery Shopping Tour.
We will be offering one tour per month.
Date: TBA

Visit Martha's blog for some more interesting healthy eating tips at www.citygirlbites.com/blog

NYC Adventure Boot Camper Testimonial

It truly makes my job worthwhile when I get to see the joy that I help bring to peoples life! Check out one of our NYC Adventure Boot Campers experience on YouTube!



Join us for our next boot camp on January 5th! Go to www.nycadventurebootcamp.com to register today!

Why Aren't You Motivated?

A good dose of motivation can change your life almost overnight.

The best part of my job is seeing clients achieve amazing results. Whether they drop a few sizes, lose the baby weight, get off their blood pressure meds, or shrink their waist the excitement is always contagious.

There really isn't a clear way to describe the euphoria that settles in once you've realized your fitness goal. You have to experience it.

Though each successful client is unique with different goals one element unites them.

They are all highly motivated.

You see, I am in a unique position. I know how to get you (or anyone else who walks through my door) into great shape. I can coach you through a 50 pound weight loss. I can guide you to a healthier body. I can even train you into a toned athlete.

But there is one catch. You'll need to be motivated.

See, saying that you want to get into great shape isn't enough. You need motivation-and that's just half of the equation. The other part (and the most important) is ACTION.

Nothing happens until you take action.

You can want it, think about it, mull it over, ponder it, plan it, and then re-plan it. But nothing happens until you take action.

While I may not know your story-it's probably safe to assume that you are dissatisfied with your body and know that you can improve your fitness level. You want to look better, to have more energy, to experience fewer aches and pains, and to enjoy sweet satisfaction as you achieve your goals once and for all.

I know that all of my successful clients were once in your shoes. They wanted to change their bodies. They felt urgency. And then they did what most fail to do. They took action and contacted me.

But there is more to it than that. They then committed to a program, put in the exercise, stuck to their diet and met their goals. There's nothing more gratifying than getting back into those jeans that now sit in the back of your closet.

Those that take massive action get massive rewards. And those that simply talk about losing weight will continue to put weight on, pound after pound. I hate to put that way, but it's the truth.

So what do you want?

To drop 20 pounds

To feel younger

To look better in your birthday suit

How bad do you want it? How much motivation do you have?
Enough to take MASSIVE ACTION? The rewards are great IF you do.

Boot Camp Song

A very special lady wrote this song for our boot camp! You know who you are and know that you are missed at camp L.H.! Get better and come back soon :)

CENTRAL PARK IS WHERE IT'S AT
BRING YOUR DUMB BELLS! BRING YOUR MAT!

BOOT CAMP STARTS AT HALF PAST FIVE.
RUN THE LAP AND LOOK ALIVE!

WE GET THERE WHEN IT'S STILL DARK!
WE WORK OUT IN CENTRAL PARK!

TO THE BENCHES! TO THE STAIRS!
HIGH KNEES! HIGH KNEES! EVERYWHERE!

BOOT CAMP LIFE IS NOT FOR WIMPS!
WE ARE PROUD OF ACHES AND LIMPS!

STRETCHES, LUNGES, JUMPING JACKS
WORKING MUSCLES TO THE MAX!

MONSTER WALKS AND SPRINTS AND JOGS
SOON MY LEGS WON'T LOOK LIKE LOGS!

SIT-UPS, PUSH-UPS, SKATE WALKS, PLANKS
STACY WE OWE YOU OUR THANKS!

ON THE WEEKENDS WE CAN CHEAT
SLEEPING LATE IS SUCH A TREAT!

LOOK AT ME – MY PANTS ARE LOOSE!
INCHES GONE FROM MY CABOOSE!

I DON'T WANT NO DIP AND CHIPS!
I WANT INCHES OFF MY HIPS!

WE DON'T KNOW BUT WE'VE BEEN TOLD
STACY'S ABS ARE BRICKS OF GOLD!

OUTDOOR EXERCISE IS FUN
BUT IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE!

EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE, NEAR AND FAR
BOOT CAMP GALS – THE BEST THERE ARE!

BOOT CAMP GALS ARE THIN AND STRONG!
JOIN US NOW AND SING OUR SONG!

Free Saturday Boot Camp

Ladies come join NYC Adventure Boot Camp this Saturday, November 22nd @ 9:15am in Central Park for our Free Saturday Boot Camp! It'll be our last time outdoors for this year so don't miss out. Our last Free Saturday camp we had a great turnout. We had over 25 of NYCs most fabulous women attend!
We do this as a little kick back to the community b/c we are sick and tired of all of the boring gym routines out there!

We are the "ultimate out of gym experience!" Some women come b/c they have seen our ad in the newspaper. Some women are dragged by their friends that have become regulars. However the ladies get here, they are here to stay.

If you haven't already, get down to 97th and 5th and don't forget to bring your mat, 3-8lb weights, H20 and your beautiful selves. You wont be let down. Check out the exact dates and times at http://www.nycadventurebootcamp.com. You can do it!

Everyone Must RSVP to stacy@nycadventurebootcamp.com

Success List

Many times I have people question "Where do I start, I don't know where to begin!?" For those of you who have repeated these same words I have compiled the following list for you to follow when beginning a new fitness routine.

1. One Day at a Time- Are you starting each day by focusing on breakfast? Make sure the first meal you eat is a healthy one. Many diets have met their untimely end due to a poor breakfast, which turned into a poor lunch, which turned into a poor dinner, which turned into a poor week... You probably get the picture. If you did have a day that included some slip-ups, breakfast is the perfect time to get back on track. Just start over with a healthy meal. Don't think about the cookie you had at lunch yesterday or even the office party you have to go to tomorrow. Concentrate on today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.

2. Two People To Support You- Don't isolate yourself. Do you have two people who can be supportive and help you make sound decisions? Use the resources you have to tell what you might think are the silliest stories: How you passed up some potato chips during lunch, that you had a perfect meal plan day, or that you weighed in and lost two pounds.

3. Three Goals and Three Rewards- Create a goal system for yourself and write it down (if you haven't already). Short Term Goal- Figure out where you want to be in two weeks and write down a non-edible reward (a new CD, a movie, whatever...) If you reach your goal, make sure to give yourself the reward. If you don't reach your goal, and it may happen, look at the progress you made and set another goal. Medium range- Decide where you want to be in 2 months and make the reward just a bit larger. (New walking shoes, a day at the salon, a new pair of pants.) Long term- Figure out what your goal weight is and when you think you can reach it. Set up a vacation for that date or find another way to celebrate your achievement. Give yourself a little leeway here. Don't cancel a trip if you are 3 pounds off. The point is to look forward to something in the future.

4. Four Pieced of Fruit- Have you been skipping that banana at breakfast and just eating two muffins, or just having cereal and milk? The fruit will help fill you up and reduce your cravings. Fruits are especially important when just starting out.

5. Five (or more) Servings of Vegetables- Eating all your vegetables can be especially challenging. Vegetables can be harder to get all of your servings than fruit. Generally speaking, they take more time to prepare, and we only think of them as dinner foods. One of the best ways to ensure you get all your vegetable servings is to plan ahead. Although, I am a big believer in fresh vegetables, stock up on frozen and canned veggies, in case you forget to buy fresh ones. When preparing your meal, fix the vegetables first. That way there will be no temptation to just eat your entree and leave the veggies in the fridge.

6. Eat Six Times A Day- Oddly enough, one of the keys to losing weight is eating often. You should be eating six times a day. That's three small meals and a snack after each meal. The faster you can get into this eating habit the better. This will keep you from becoming hungry late at nights, when you may be tired and not have as much will power.

7. Seven Days of Exercise- If you haven't been exercising this may sound difficult. Visions of endless jogging and hours spent in the gym. Start slow and start with what is right for you. Walking every day is a simple way to begin. Even if it is just for 10 minutes, get yourself in the habit of getting up and moving. Walk during your lunch hour or visit a co-worker instead of calling. If you can, adding a couple days of free weights will help you build muscle and ultimately keep your metabolism running at a higher level.

8. Eight Glasses of Water a Day- It is hard to believe this can actually help you lose weight. It makes sense that eating well should help, but how does adding water help. Your body needs lots and lots of water. More than most people give it. Water keeps the body in balance. Besides, sometimes we can mistake thirst for hunger, leading to a snack instead of old H2O.

9. Nine Different Activities in Your Workout- Don't let yourself get bored doing the same exercises repeatedly. Half an hour worth of sit-ups or walking the same route every day can be boring, even for the most motivated exerciser. By trying different things, you will actually be working your muscles in a more productive manner. Our bodies become accustomed to exercises we do all the time and start becoming more efficient and burning fewer calories while performing them.

10. Ten Minutes of Journal Time a Day- Take time to reflect and write down some of the frustrations you may be having. Being aware of how you feel mentally can help you feel better physically. Your journal doesn't have to just be what you ate and how far you walked. How is dieting making you feel? Frustrated, confident, grumpy, or proud. All of these may cross your mind at one point or another. Writing them down may be a good way to cross them out of your mind.