2016 New Years Resolution

My 2016 New Years Resolution

Like most people, every year I put together of things that I want to accomplish or change. I really don’t think it should take a new year to motivate people to get start, but it’s still a
great time to make lifestyle changes to improve your life.

Below are my New Year’s Resolutions in no particular order.

1. Improve Upper and Lower Body Strength

If you are a runner or cyclist, then you know the importance of being physically strong. This not only helps with performance, but also improves recovery. My goal for the new year is to include strength training at least once a week.

When I set all of personal bests in 2012, I was really good at getting in strength training and core workouts at least once a week. All of which I think helped me run my best.

Below are a few books that I found on Amazon that can help you improve performance and increase strength.

Related Books:
Quick Strength for Runners: 8 Weeks to a Better Runner’s Body
Unbreakable Runner: Unleash the Power of Strength & Conditioning
Build Your Running Body: A Total-Body Fitness Plan for All Distance Runners

2. Get more sleep

The older I get, the busier I am. Having just bought a house, there are so many things that I want to do and need to get done. Add that to finding time to workout and spending time with family/friends, something has to suffer. Unfortunately for me sleep is something I don’t get enough of.

After working, workout out, and home projects, I typically get between 5 to 6 hours of sleep. For some that may be enough, but for me it isn’t and is something I want to increase for 2016.

The million dollar question is how much sleep do I need. I did some googling and the Sleep Foundation recommends we get at least 8 hours of sleep.

Anytime I get extra sleep, I have increased energy, better attitude, and ultimately get more done.

Sleep Information:
SleepFoundation.org
Sleep Smarter: 21 Proven Tips to Sleep

3. Get others to be active

For most of us, we think of New Year’s resolutions as things we need to change within our own mind or body.

Something I would like to do this year is to get others to be more active. It could be as simple as walking at lunch or training for a half marathon, getting others involved makes working out more enjoyable and provides you more time to spend time with others.

Running with a group of people is way more enjoyable than running solo. Being pushed by others and having that camaraderie will ultimately make you a better runner. Besides the improved running part, having fun with other runners makes the tough and long workouts fun.

My goal for this year is improve the level of fitness for both of my parents. Feel free to share any ideas to get older people moving!

Related Items: 25 Color Posters That Motivate People

4. Listen to my Body

This past year was the worst year of running I have had in over 8 years. It all started with a calf injury from playing soccer, which led to a foot injury from running, which led to multiple other injuries.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have taken the proper time off to fully recover from the calf injury before I started to run again.

One of my main goals for 2016 is to truly listen to my body and do what I need to do to recover so that I can run pain-free and perform better than I did last year.

Related Books:
Running Injury-Free: How to Prevent, Treat, and Recover From Runner’s
Dr. Jordan Metzl’s Running Strong: The Sports Doctor’s Complete Guide

5. Drink Less

The last thing I would like to do in 2016 is to drink less than I have in 2015. When I hurt my calf and foot, I started to have a beer or two after a workout and really want to change that in 2016.

The goal is to only drink beers or wine on weekend nights instead of during the week. I hope that will help improve my running performance and times in 2016.