Once again we are about to enter a new year. Rather than make a New Year’s resolution I try to use this as a time to reflect on where I have been and where I would like to go. Then I plan accordingly to determine how it is I am going to get there.

I have a few bad habits that I have to work on and a few things I would like to improve. I really need to work on eating better. Not that I eat all bad foods but I need to eat in a way to nourish myself for my workouts. I know I do not eat properly to account for the beating I put my body through day after day. As a result, it seems my body no longer wants to release the fat that I have stored. I do build muscle however so I must be doing something right. One of last year’s goals was to drink more water. I was having a problem with dehydration. It seemed I had all out given up on this goal when about half way through the year I still hadn’t moved on this one but then one day I just decided I was going to stop buying iced tea and I stocked my fridge with water only (and almond milk). I keep many small bottles around so it is convenient for me to get into the fridge, grab and go as needed. I still keep up with this one and my dehydration problem is gone.

Another one of last year’s goal was for me to be able to do a pistol squat by the end of the year. I didn’t accomplish that. I didn’t realize at the time how far I was overshooting myself. I did strengthen my legs/glutes/hips a great deal this year so all is not lost. I can do one legged squats, one legged weighted deadlifts, and weighted step ups but I just cannot do a full out pistol squat. This gives me something to shoot for. It’s good to have something to look forward to. It keeps you from being complacent. You need to keep challenging yourself to improve and without improvement how are you going to be motivated to keep going in the first place? At the same time, you need a sense of accomplishment so you can feel proud of yourself for all of your hard work. Set some smaller attainable goals for yourself so you can pat yourself on the back from time to time on your way to the bigger picture.

So, as the year 2011 comes to an end and we enter into the year 2012 take a look at where you have been and think about just where it is that you would like to go on your fitness journey.