Riders like James Stewart don't need to make resolutions to be better riders. They are because they want to be! photo: www.js7.com

Have you decided that this is the year that is going to be different than any other? That this year you are going to work harder, study harder, train harder, and well, just be better. Well, if you have, you can join the millions of other people who have vowed to do the same thing. And like them, you will most likely fail. That's right; I said you are going to fail. And fail before you can say, "Anaheim 3".

If you Google "New Years Resolution" over 24 million results turn up. It's not surprising. New Years Resolutions are older than Dick Clark himself and he is rumored to be at least 786 years old. Now all the feel good Johnny's and personal trainers around the World will disagree with me and say, "but, Tim all you have to do is set 'realistic' resolutions" and then they will go on for hours, offering all kinds of ways to stay on track.

Not me.

Let's face it, it's pretty pointless waiting all year to decide on one or two things that you kinda, sorta, want to do, but that you know full well you're not committed to following through with anyway. How pointless is that? Resolutions don't work, and there three good reason why:

1. They're  all about what you think you should do rather than what you really want to be doing
2. They're a half-hearted promise you make to yourself, and
3. They often lack a foundation of meaning and personal relevance that ensures adherence.

To make resolutions stick, you need something more fundamental, more central and more important to you. You need a resolution that comes from the inside, based on what truly matters to you. I assume you are reading this website because riding and racing is important to you. If that is the case, then great - glad you are here. I am here to help you, but if you are going to go down the "News Resolution" path with me, you have to decide right now if training and racing is really what you want. Riding and training should be fundamental, central, and important to you. If not, save yourself some time and energy by forgetting about the resolutions and get back to what you were doing in 2009.

If you are still with me and want some help with how to get on with the business of riding and training, I have taken a few of the more popular fitness resolutions related to motocross and offer some tips on how to navigate them.

Nico Izzi and Broc Tickle pounding out a tough Concept2 workout! photo: Virtual Trainer

"This Year I'm Going to Be Stronger"

"This Year I am Going to Have James Stewart-like Endurance"
As you progress through the off-season, eventually you will want to shift your training towards high intensity endurance sessions. Intervals, plyometrics, and shorter more intense cardio sessions will take over your workouts. This type of training will put your metabolism into overdrive giving you more energy, burning more calories and turning you into a lean, mean machine. If you like more traditional training, the pre and in-season workouts are for you. Want something new and different that will absolutely kick your butt? Then try the TRX Team Sports DVD or TRX Winter Sport Conditioning Download. Two great workouts to improve your metabolic conditioning.

When you do get a chance to ride and practice, do so with a purpose. Aldon Baker and Ashley Fiolek's trainer, Robb Beams have both written articles on how to make your practice sessions something more than just going to the track and 'riding around.'

"This Year I am Going to Finally Get Flexible"
Has it been a while since you could touch your toes? Do you want to be limber like a dancer and steady like a gymnast? Or do you just want to feel more balanced in your everyday life? Flexibility is a key component to motocross training and the most overlooked. Warming up before you train is a no brainer - just do it. And Coach Seiji makes it easy to warm-up at the track by telling you exactly what to do before your motos. You have been lead to the water, now drink!

"This Year I Will Lose Weight"
Are you trying to lose weight, even though you can't figure out exactly from where? Are you looking for that one extra routine that will get rid of the last five pounds? Or maybe the first 20? I started the year off with my Top Ten Nutritional Tips of 2009 article. In that, you will not only find weight loss tips but a wealth of information on nutrition. How about this for a resolution? Resolve to make nutrition simple and easy. Really, it's not that difficult.

So Forget About Making New Years Resolutions.
Getting the most out of your riding and training isn't about making some woolly, half-hearted decisions that don't really mean anything. That's not what truly confident people do. Instead, make confident choices based on what really matters to you, and lets get started.

That's it for now, until next time, good luck with your training and remember, if you have a question, log on to the Virtual Trainer Expert Forum and have your question answered by a panel of experts. In addition, be sure and check out the Racer X Virtual Trainer archive section. Your complete one-stop information zone for motocross fitness.