How to Actually Stick to Your Nutritional and Fitness Resolutions

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When I make a New Year’s resolution regarding my body, I typically stick to it for about 3 weeks. Or in the case of this year’s plan of Sober January … 3 days (because small children, amiright??).

I know I’m not alone in this. Observe any workout class at the gym, and you’ll see.

January 2nd? The class is so crowded that people are in the hallway running into each other as they perform jubilant burpees..

Jan 22nd? The class is half empty.

Jan 29th? I couldn’t tell you. I’ve never made it that long.

While I would love to think I am entirely self motivated in my fitness and nutritional goals, it’s just not true. Workout buddies help. A spouse who is also trying to cut back on sweets or whatever the change may be, helps. But at the end of the day, accountability only goes so far. Friends and partners are fallible, and they can’t be the reason I achieve (or fail) at my goals.

This year, I am trying something new. I have made an investment in myself. I have joined Stronger U.

Stronger U is a nutritional program that assigns you a personal coach. This is huge! Your coach not only is a nutritional expert, he or she will develop a plan just for you. Based on your goals, needs, habits and vices, your coach will work with you. This is not a one-size-fits all program!

How does Stronger U work?

Stronger U is based on Structured Flexibility meaning that your coach builds you a set of nutritional macronutrient targets including how many grams of carbs, fat and protein to shoot for on a daily basis. Based on how you feel after sticking to the plan, your coach can adjust your daily targets. Your coach also works with you on how to track what you eat and plan for your day and week. What I really like about Structured Flexibility is that there are no fads involved. You’re not drinking weird juices or starving yourself. If anything, tracking your food and paying attention to your targets makes you more conscious of what and how you eat and how what you eat makes you fee. No food or drink is off limits either. I can enjoy that glass of wine or slice of birthday cake. I just need to plan for it in my day. This may seem overwhelming at first but quickly becomes second nature.

For me, the best part about Stronger U is that it HOLDS ME ACCOUNTABLE.

Will your coach come over to your house and take a cupcake out of your mouth and make you go running?

No.

I wish.

But your coach will be checking in with you and will be there if you need to check in with him or her. And your coach will be encouraging you and giving you tough love if/when you need it. Plus, there’s a super supportive Facebook community of Stronger U  members which has been so nice for finding recipes and workout ideas and just over all support.

Are you worried that this is one more person that you have to answer to during the week? Don’t. Your coach will provide as much or as little assistance as you need. Do you want a person who expects you to email a weekly update and will email an encouraging response? That coach is there. Are you a person who needs someone who can be reached via text, can be contacted multiple times a week, and is more on call for you? You can find that coach with Stronger U as well.

Stronger U
Stronger U
Stronger U
Stronger U

Here’s another great thing about Stronger U: when it’s over, it’s not over.

Stronger U offers an initial 12-week program. Some people stay on Stronger U for six months or a year or indefinitely, but no one has to. The goal of the program is to teach you how to eat better, how to pay attention to what you eat and how what you eat affects your performance — whether you are trying to run your very first mile or you’re a professional athlete. It is not simply a weight loss program. It aims to create habits that will aid you in maintaining the results that you want.

Give or ask for the gift of Stronger U.

Treat Stronger U like a gift to yourself. By having a coach to work with, you are taking the pressure off of yourself to be fully motivated to reach your goals. Yes, you do have to be motivated. It’s not easy to make major life changes. But you will never feel like you’re alone in it. I recommend doing Stronger U with your spouse or a friend — that way, you can encourage each other and meal plan together, but you also won’t be each other’s end all-be all, since you will still each have your own coach. Do you or your spouse have a PT test coming up? Stronger U would be an amazing gift.

If you didn’t get around to setting a New Year’s resolution this year or don’t really believe in them, consider trying Stronger U now. You don’t need a new year to dictate the day you decide to take control of your nutrition and habits.

Lastly, I highly recommend perusing Stronger U’s Instagram. I love before and afters and these are SO inspiring! And if you would like to speak to any of the people featured in these before and afters, just ask, and we can put you in touch!

Are you interested in trying Stronger U?

Use code “MILITARY10” for 10% off.

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are our own.