What to do if you fall off the wagon...

It's the beginning of January and everyone is going strong, running, practicing yoga, working out. I have never seen as many joggers in my neighborhood as I see right now.  Seems like everyone is motivated and excited to make this the healthiest year of their life. Unfortunately by next month half of the people would have backed off, slowed down or given up on their resolutions.
Why are we not able to keep our resolutions?
I am extremely persistent with the things I enjoy and with the goals that are achievable and reasonable. When I talk to friends and yoga enthusiasts who tend to fail I notice a definite pattern!! The people that are most likely to fail usually set unrealistic, big goals that would crush even a yoga pro and once they skip a day they let it all go down the drain. Then they try to "punish" themselves for failing and come back even stronger. Maybe do 2 MONSTER classes in a row because they skipped a few. It becomes this daunting thing we HAVE TO do rather than a fun time that we can dedicate to ourselves, that we can enjoy and benefit from on an emotional, physical, mental, spiritual level and let's not forget have fun while doing it.

So some things you can do to make sure you achieve your goals are:

1. SET REASONABLE GOALS!
You don't need to workout 1 hour a day, 6 days a week to be fit. Check out the post I wrote on workout schedule and base it off on that: weekly schedule  
Walk with friends, walk your dog, clean your house on off days and don't be harsh on yourself. If you are very busy make your goals achievable- 3x week rather than all or nothing approach.

2. Be sure to shift your perception and to "decide" that what you do is fun. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. Every time you roll out your mat make sure you realize how blessed you are to be able to sit and stretch and move and breath and goof on your mat while so many people in the world don't have that luxury. Be grateful and enjoy your blessings.

3. If you fall off the wagon don't sweat it. It's not the end of the world. Be kind to yourself. Even talk to yourself as if you are your own 5 year old child. Don't nag yourself. Tell yourself it's fine. And everything you do is enough. That way you are not laying the ground for self sabotaging out of guilt. (the most common reason why we fail is IMO guilt) Free yourself of guilt. It serves no one so why engage in a behavior that's not serving you or helping anyone else for that matter.

4. MOST IMPORTANTLY  when you do fall of the wagon come back to it SMALL. This has been the secret to me being persistent and constant for years. I forgive myself with ease which has helped me forgive everyone with ease. I don't hold on to hurts and grudges and I definitely don't waste precious time beating myself down over small things. :)
Come back to your routine with something so modest and doable that you would actually do without fretting. Do a beginner 10 minute routine, or a beginning of a class only. If it pulls you in of course you can do more than that but my rule of thumb is just get back on the wagon by dedicating 5-10 minutes to it. Next day your energy will be high enough for you to complete a strong 30 minute class. :D I PROMISE

These are my 4 tips on how to make yoga and working out a lifestyle not a fad.

Let me know if you if you have personal tips and secrets for staying in shape long term :)

NAMASTE

SENDING LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO ALL