An ode to January, the only time of the year when we can ask every single person on the gym floor what they want to change in their health and they have a definitive answer. Having a vision of what we want to achieve is half the battle, but the other half is the execution…and this is where we often fail. Here are three ways to guarantee your health is what you want it to be by the conclusion of 2009:

1. Be S.M.A.R.T.
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable and Time Framed goals. In other words, “I want to look like I did when i was 18,” although specific is hard to measure, attain, reason out, and unless you get a time machine the time frame is indeterminable. Test your resolution against this acronym and where it fails, try to add detail to your plan.

2. Time Stamp It
Buy a planner or a calendar and mark the date you’d like to attain your goal by. Draw or paste a picture on the date of exactly what you want to do be doing, looking or feeling like. Hang the calendar somewhere in your home or office and keep track of your daily efforts towards that goal. Draw X’s on each day you complete and enjoy your progress.

3. Break Your Goal Into Phases
Once you’ve set an end date, think about the general time frame of your goal and break it into phases. Some typical phases for training would be: base building aerobic phase, skill building phases, maximal performance phase. Weight loss phases could be determined by dividing the pounds, dress sizes or body fat you want to lose in months or weeks and setting those benchmarks into writing.

And if you feel yourself drowning in your fitness dreams, please, please look at the inspiration picture and then consult a professional!