I think that it must be something in the water. Or perhaps it’s an airborne kind of thing. I really don’t know.

But what I do know is that lately there are an awful lot of people running around, berating themselves for not working out, for falling off of Weight Watchers and for letting themselves get out of shape in the first place.

You know who you are. And if you see yourself in any of those scenarios, then it’s time to channel that negativity into something productive and positive.

It’s time to sit down and really think about that goal plan that you initiated back when we started talking about getting in shape for summer.

Yes, summer. You remember. We sat down, and I wrote, and you read, and then we began our new and exciting fit lifestyle together?

Instead of waiting until New Year’s to start your resolutions, why don’t you skip all that nonsense and just “carry on” as the overly popular slogan says?

Get through the next two weeks with a pledge to maintain where you are weight-wise, and then just continue on, content and confident that the New Year will bring good things to you.

No resolution, no setting yourself up for failure, no pricey gym membership that you will use once. Get a handle on what makes you move and what you like to do, and just do it.

You know that you can, and I know that you can. So let’s see what a little positive visualization can do for us. Get out of your own way!

Set a goal

Take the time now to make a plan. Think in terms of a realistic and specific goal.

Assess where you are now and be honest about your capabilities:

What do you want to do? What changes do you want to make? How can you get there? What obstacles do you see in your way? What can you do to make this work?

Schedule your workouts

I don’t care if your workout is running up and down the stairs in your house 10 times, schedule something physical into your day. Seeing it written down is a commitment.

Clean up your eating

Yes, again with the food!

Stop drinking sugary beverages, toss out the processed junk, drink more water and eat more fruits and vegetables.

Be mindful of what you eat. Fill up on fiber and try to pair complex carbohydrates with lean protein at meals.

Make a weekly menu and have healthy snacks ready. Many people find that exercise makes them hungry, so now is not the time to starve oneself.

If you have a “bad day,” don’t dwell on it. Just do better next time!

Move more

Change up your playlist and get excited about moving!

Grab your weights and get strong: A pound of muscle consumes twice as many calories as fat.

Try a new workout class: CrossFit, Pilates, Zumba or Underground modules — there’s something for everyone.

Create mini-workouts throughout your day: 20 squats here, 20 push-ups there and a brisk walk around the block are all small things that can add up to big differences.

Most importantly,
it’s all about attitude

I can’t stress this enough: If you think you can’t, you won’t. It’s as simple as that. If you can’t shake a negative attitude, then it will be an uphill battle all the way.

Lose that “all or nothing” mentality.

You didn’t get out of shape overnight, and you won’t wake up as a triathlete tomorrow.

But you can make those small changes that will yield big results because you really, really want this. You do, I know you do. And you have the ability to make the changes that will alter your life. So get out of your own way. And make it happen.

Have a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for a New Year filled with joy and happiness!