Healthy living: Jump-start January resolutions by finishing the year right

It might feel early to begin thinking about New Year’s resolutions, but now is the perfect time to set yourself up for success.
By choosing a fitness and nutrition plan now, you will beat the January rush, have first pick of the services available and be able to relax in knowing that you are locked in to start the New Year off right.
This seemingly daunting task will feel easy and approachable when you follow some simple steps.
Accountability from another person
Long-term success with any fitness plan depends on one key word: accountability.
When a trainer, a peer group or a competitive event is there to hold you accountable, you will be far more likely to succeed in attaining your goals. Your budget and fitness level will help you determine which of the plans below best suits you.
For those with a generous budget or with special needs, working with a personal trainer one to three days per week might be just the right thing. One-on-one training provides undivided personal attention, customization and scheduling flexibility.
Look for a trainer with a related college degree, such as kinesiology, physiology or physical therapy, or with an internationally recognized certification, such as ACSM, NSCA or NASM. When choosing a trainer, also consider years of experience and whether he or she is a good personality match for you.
Be aware that with the January rush, trainers’ schedules can book up quickly. And at $50 to $100 per hour, you can be quite sure that you will not miss your workouts.
Small-group training
Those looking for a more economical plan might be surprised to learn that small-group training provides access to those same fitness experts for as little as $20 per hour. Scour local gyms looking for classes that allow no more than six to 10 participants, that are run by an experienced personal trainer and that are aligned with your personal goals. Such programs are often run at specialty studios or gyms.
Though you won’t have the exclusive attention of the trainer, you will still benefit from her or his expertise with regard to safety, tips on form and keeping the workout challenging and fresh.
At a lower price point and with limited space, small-group programs can fill up fast.
Sign up for a race
If you are already a dedicated exerciser and want to take your fitness to another level, consider signing up for a race. Races are an excellent incentive for people who are self-motivated but need something to challenge them to shake up their routine, break through a plateau and give some meaning to it all.
When choosing an event, pick something that is about three to four months out and which will take you about that long to train for, based on your present fitness. You can find a list of local trail races at Pacific Coast Trail Runs (pctrailruns.com) and a list of local triathlons at Active.com. With events ranging from 5-kilometer walk-runs to Half Ironman triathlons, you are bound to find something that is right for you. The important thing is to sign up (races can fill up early), commit, and then formulate a weekly and monthly training plan that starts in January and leads up to race day.
Nutrition too
As you contemplate your fitness plan, remember that it will not be complete without a complementary nutrition strategy. While there are many ways to customize an individual nutrition plan, we can all improve our energy, health and body composition by following a few basic guidelines.
You can read more on this topic in an earlier column I wrote for the Press-Banner (“Eat more, drink more, weigh less,” Oct. 15, Page 15).
I commend you in advance for taking action and committing yourself to your 2011 New Year’s health and fitness resolutions.
Julia Blanton is a nutrition, fitness and wellness coach. An avid runner, she works at Club One in Scotts Valley and keeps a health blog at www.juliablanton.com.