2.      Setting goals that are unrealistic without the help of mini-goals. Don’t get us wrong, it’s not a bad thing to “dream big.” Where we can sometimes find ourselves in a bind, however, is when we dream too big by trying to go straight from A to Z - without passing through B-Y first! You might not need to hit every single stop between A to Z, but you will want to give yourself a few checkpoints here and there. It’s an ambitious goal to want to work out five times a week. But if you currently work out zero times a week, it’s simply not realistic to immediately jump to five workouts a week. You might even hit that goal for the first week or two, but a change that drastic from where you currently are will most likely ultimately lead to burnout and abandonment. Think of how gyms and fitness studios are usually packed in the month of January and clear out substantially in the weeks following - same thing. While your major goal may be to eventually hit five workouts a week, you’re going to be more likely to achieve that goal with the help of mini-goals. Mini-goals serve as the stepping stones to help you get from the bottom rung of the ladder to the top. In the case of wanting to work out five times a week, a good mini-goal to help you get there may be “I will work out 1-2 times this week and next week, and the following 2 weeks, I will work out a minimum of 2 times a week.” Committing to 1-2 times a week to start is going to be much more achievable and sustainable then trying to jump straight into five times a week! Mini-goals also serve as checkpoints during our journey. When you reach a checkpoint, you feel a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and celebration. You also have a chance to check back in with and recommit to your end goal. 1-2 times a week is 1-2 times closer to your goal than 0 times a week. And maybe when you do get to 5 times a week, you realize that it’s still too much to fit into your schedule regularly. It will be easier to back down to 4 times a week if you came from that point and already have a reference point for how great you felt working out just 4 times a week. In turn, you will feel more of a sense of accomplishment at 4 times a week than a sense of failure for “not being able to commit to 5 times a week.” Mini-goals help establish and guide realistic expectations and feelings of accomplishment when they are reached. Remember, a goal of any size reached is a goal worth celebrating!

Did you know that keeping a written record of your goals, progress, and mini-goals can be a great way to keep these things “top of mind?” Maybe you had a bad week and are feeling like throwing in the towel. DON’T! If you've been journaling your progress, you have something that you can reflect back on to see how far you've come. Keeping track of your progress is the best way to see it. When you are able to objectively and clearly see the small steps you’ve taken to change, you can re-evaluate the goals and mini-goals that you’ve set - and, in turn, you can use that information to reignite motivation. Bottom line: if you aren't keep a record, then you can't objectively and truthfully reflect back on it later! When it comes to health and weight loss goals, MRC’s Success Journal is the perfect accompaniment to track weight, water, exercise, lifestyle goals, and more! With weekly goal setting and other tips, tricks, and recipes, this handy journal has what you need - bonus: it's undated! So, when you are ready to start (or maybe re-start), it's always ready for you!

3.      Not having a strong “why” behind your goals. You want to lose 25 pounds this year? That's great! Now, tell me, why do you want to lose 25 pounds? What outcomes and opportunities would achieving this goal create (e.g., better appearance, more energy, lessening of physical symptoms and ailments, etc.)? Do you only want to lose 25 pounds because your doctor said “you could stand to lose 25 pounds?” If so, is that really your goal? Or do you want to lose 25 pounds because you’ve got a cruise coming up in 6 months and you want to be looking and feeling your best? Maybe you’re tired of feeling exhausted after walking up the stairs to and from your apartment? Maybe you want to keep up with your grandkids? Take a moment and really think about what motivates you. And know that your motivations are yours and yours alone. What matters to you may not mean the same to someone else - and that's OK.  If you don’t have a clear understanding of why you’re working towards a goal, it’s going to be that much more difficult to achieve it. Knowing your motivations and “why” behind wanting to achieve a particular goal helps not only to establish direction, but maintain motivation, too!

Now that we’ve discussed how to set smarter goals that you can actually stick to, it’s important to also set yourself up for success with achieving your goals by utilizing resources and tools that enhance your endeavors. When you have the right kind of tools to support you, you are empowered and better equipped to accomplish what you desire. You wouldn't go skydiving without a parachute, right? The same goes for your goals - make sure you're walking in head-first with the right kind of tools to help you see success! Here are a list of common goals that we see in the new year - and some great MRC tools and products that can help support you as you work to achieve them:

• I want to lose 25 pounds. Take the guesswork out of weight loss with one of MRC’s Metabolic Majic Weight Loss Kits. These comprehensive kits contain everything you need to start seeing results from protein drinks that support appetite to supplements that support healthy weight loss. Your 20 page digital instruction booklet contains your food choices, portions, recipes, tips, and more. Choose from 4 different kits to match the level of support you need, and get up to $46 off regular retail! Shop weight loss kits.

• I want to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet. Getting in more fruits and veggies doesn’t mean every lunch from here on out is replaced with a green salad and light dressing. Getting in more fruits and vegetables is as simple as a scoop of Super Fruit & Vegetable Drink Mix powder! This superfood blend contains over 50+ different fruits, vegetables, and minerals. With just one scoop you’ve packed in all of the nutrition of 10 half-cup servings of fruits and vegetables! Blend right into a smoothie or simply mix with water. Your body will thank you for this one. 

• I want to start walking/run a 5k/complete a marathon/hit a new PR in the gym. When it comes to getting physically active, protein is going to be one of your top nutritional supports. When it comes to protein, there are a million different types and thoughts on what is best, when it’s best, and how it’s best consumed. At Metabolic Research Center, our protein drinks are designed with the highest quality collagen and whey protein for maximum results. Our leaner approach to protein supplements helps keep things on the lighter side with 15g of protein per serving and less than 100 calories. Individually packaged drinks, bars, soups, and puddings make traveling and variety a breeze - no need to carry around a bulky canister or commit to one flavor for an entire month! Shop all protein products here! 

• I want to better manage my stress. Not every New Year’s resolution has to revolve around “doing something more” or "being more than I am right now." In fact, sometimes what we really need (and what can be most difficult for many of us) is to just to take a deep breath, take a step back, and do less. We live in a world where everything is always moving and something is always happening. This kind of constant stimulation can put a burden on our adrenals and impact Cortisol (your "stress hormone") levels. Stress is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t need to control your life. Finding time to meditate, breathe deeply, or simply take a few things off of your overbooked calendar are great ways to help reduce stress. For those that are seeking a little extra support with stress management (maybe your schedule doesn’t allow for you to hit a yoga class as often as you’d like or you’ve got a tight deadline at work to meet), supplementing with stress-balancing products such as Corti-trim can can help you maintain your healthy cortisol levels. MRC’s Corti-trim is a best-seller that’s made up of three unique proprietary herbal blends that work in tandem to encourage a healthy stress response - and bonus: it also supports weight management!* 

We hope that you can see that with a little bit of planning and tracking, this year can be your best year yet with New Years resolutions and goals that stick with you all year through. Yes,  you can accomplish anything you put your mind to do. You are worthy of the success you seek for yourself, and you are capable of reaching it! Don’t let a poorly planned or improperly supported goal hold you back from achieving your dreams. Sometimes the difference between a goal that you wanted and a goal that you got is a little bit of planning, tracking, and deeper thought. From our family to yours, happy (and healthy) new year!