How are your New Years Resolutions holding up?

Its mid January and if the pessimists are to be believed most of us have dumped our new years resolutions already.  The gym has spare cross trainers again and the work out gear is on the sale rail.
Of course I am going to tell you that the best way to get fit in 2014 is to take up belly dance, but even if that is not for you here are a few ways to make an activity part of your year and not just a three week wonder.
1, You dont need a buddy to start something new.  I hear this all the time; "Me and my three friends wanted to come to class, but one of them has flu so we will try and come next week".  If you are waiting til you are all in the mood then you will never make it to class.  Most likely one in your group is keen and the others are just looking for a reason not to come.  Go out today and you will make new friends.
2, You dont need the kit.  Dressing the part is not the same as getting on with it and putting off starting an activity because the yoga shop didnt have the pants you like in your size is just an excuse.  You can come to my class in your PJs - I dont care.  And if you are going to a class where fashion matters its time to look for something different.
3, Do something you love.  I love to dance.  I shimmy all day, I pick out music in the car to enjoy once I get home and I will dance for four hours in class and then go home to do some more, but you have to find what works for you.  My son goes to Athletic Playground in Emeryville for their free running (Parkour) classes.  If you think that running, jumping and climbing isnt a work out then you should see this class - those kids are zombies by the end !  But the playground also has aerial class, balancing and open play sessions.  Playing sounds more fun that working out.  Run while you listen to an audio book, try out Pole dance, go for an early morning swim, but do it with love.
4, Put exercise into your schedule.  Its so easy to say that you will get to the gym later this week, but its better to write the time in your diary and commit to it.  I've hear this referred to as "dating yourself".  If you were meeting a friend for coffee you might not think twice about re-scheduling.  But if you had a date you would try harder to make that time work.
5, Be realistic.  Sometimes we subconciously set ourselves up for failure by aiming too high too soon.  One trip to the gym isn't going to magically drop you 10lbs and one belly dance lesson isnt going to make you a restaurant dancer.  Allow yourself to improve over the whole year - remember just 20 minutes a day, three times a week and you are moving in the right direction.
The middle of January is way to early to have given up on those healthy resolutions.  Make today the day that you find a new activity that you love.
Join me for a belly dance class if that is going to work for you : www.LetsBellyDanceUSA.com