On New Years Eve I had a conversation with a mum (we'll call her Maggie) about her health and fitness goal for 2012. Maggie said to me,

"I've tried to eat better, exercise more, and lose weight every year for a decade, but I just can't make it stick. I value my health, and I want to get it right. Why won't it work?"

My response was this:

"You don't really value your health.

"Or if you do, you value something else more.

"Perhaps you value sleeping in rather than getting up early to exercise. You value eating sweets more than abstaining, or eating fruit. You value overindulging in alcohol, rather than drinking more water.

"You can't complain about not getting what you say you want, and what you say you value. Your values are shown by your actions."

If we really value something, we make it at the top of our priority list. Whatever our goals are, they won't be achieved unless we focus on them - value them - above anything that would detract from them.

So if you've set some family fitness goals (or even personal fitness goals) for 2012, here are some ways to make it stick. Of course, as soon as you tell the kids it's time for some exercise, they groan. They don't want to turn off the tv or internet, the x-box, the i-pad, the DS, or whatever brainsucker they're feeding from. So they need to be engaged.

1. Only eat sweets (lollies, desserts, etc) on days starting with 'S', like Saturday, Sunday, and Special occasions - and no, every day cannot be a special occasion. (This is especially important for soft-drinks and even alcohol... loads of calories that take a lot of burning off).
   
2. Walk or ride to school or work, or the train station, or wherever. This early morning energy burst can lift your entire day.
   
3. Replace that Friday night pizza and movie night with a Friday night walk around the most scenic part of your neighbourhood or city. Take a picnic dinner, and then stroll through your family's favourite spots, enjoying the early evening together.
   
4. Set a physical fitness goal you can achieve together. A few years ago my family set a goal to hike Australia's highest mountain (a 13km round trip). It took training and effort, but it was great! Perhaps there is a bike track or a hike you can do? Or maybe you can set a goal to compete as a family team in netball, touch footy, or something similar for a season.
   
5. Visit the various fitness attractions your city offers. Our family loves the local rock-climbing indoor gym. There's roller-skating or ice-skating rinks, trampolining, and loads more.
   
6. Commit to an early dinner a few times a week, and then walk to the nearest park and run around with a ball, a frisbee, the dog, or just play tip/tag/tiggy for 20-30 minutes. (And no sweets afterward, unless it's a day starting with 'S' :) ).
   
7.  Instead of flaking out on the couch, get your wii sports or dance going. Get the kids to practice a dance and have a family concert.
   
8. Involve the kids by making a fitness wish-list with them, and then do one or two of those each month.
   
9. Search recipe books together for healthy meals, and then have family cooking nights, cook-offs, where you learn and try new things.
   
10. Join a local sports team/club.
    
11. Reduce screen time. Kids want to be active and will engage in being outside if there is something to do.
    
12. Make time together 'outside' time as much as possible. This facilitates exercise, conversation, and fun.

And one bonus idea - when the kids complain about being bored, they often go straight to the fridge or pantry. Take some time early in the day or week to chop up healthy snacks (carrot, celery, apple, orange, etc) and keep them available.

If we really value something, we make it a focus. These ideas can increase your health and fitness, and strengthen your family relationships.