Are You Sticking With It?
Now that March is here, I think it’s a good time to check in with you guys to see how those New Year’s Resolutions are going! Are you crushing your goals or have you thought about throwing in the towel? Has adopting a heathy lifestyle been easier than you anticipated or are you desperately looking for something or someone to keep you motivated?
I’m sure you couldn’t help but notice all of the new faces at the gym in the beginning of the New Year. January is always the busiest time of the year for fitness centers. In fact, many gyms see memberships double by the end of the month.
Unfortunately, attendance is usually back to normal by mid-February. Maybe this is because we set unobtainable goals. Perhaps it’s because we have unrealistic expectations. Regardless, most of us want results today and if we don’t see change fast enough we lose motivation and the will to work out.
Even if you have fallen off the wagon there is still hope! You can still make the commitment to reach your fitness goals this year. Whether your goal is to do a few sets of push-ups, run a half-marathon, or simply take the stairs more often there’s still time to get there! Here are a few tips to get you on your way to having your fittest year yet.
Are you crushing your goals this year or have you thought about throwing in the towel? Has adopting a heathy lifestyle been easier than you anticipated or are you desperately looking for something or someone to keep you motivated?
Write It Down
Write down your goals! This will help you figure out the exact steps you need to take to reach them. “I want to lose weight” is a pretty common fitness goal, but how exactly will you get there? Be more specific by saying “I will lose 10 pounds over the next six weeks by cutting out fast foods and going to the gym three times a week.”
Break Up the Goal
Making the decision to run a 10 K in three months can be pretty intimidating, but running a few miles a week is obtainable. A goal that’s either far in the future or out of your comfort zone can be tough to start, so break the goal down into achievable steps.
You Deserve It
When you hit hard-earned benchmarks such as one perfect set of burpees, ten pull-ups, or forty five minutes of cardio reward yourself! Choose a reward that won’t undo all of your hard work such as some new fitness gear, a day at the spa, a massage, or a weekend getaway. Rewarding yourself for all of your hard work can help you reach those milestones faster than you anticipated.
This is so important! The clients that I work with who have the most success at losing weight and keeping it off are the ones that do it for the right reasons. When you do it for someone else it’s less likely to last long term. When you hit the gym because you truly want to and not because you have to, it makes all the difference in the world.
Ask for Help
The personal trainers at the gym aren’t just there to look good, they’re there to help! They can answer any questions you may have, show you how to properly use a piece of equipment, and suggest some new things for you to try.
Keep a Schedule
Time management is important for accomplishing any goal, and fitness is no exception. An early morning workout is a great way to start off the day, but if waking up early to hit the gym is your idea of cruel and unusual torture, then it’s probably not a sustainable system. So make your fitness routine work for you! Pick a time of day that is practical, schedule it (like you would an appointment), show up, and do the work.
Don’t Be Boring
It’s time to get off the recumbent bicycle and venture out into the gym. Doing the same old monotonous exercise routine, (yes, even for experienced gym patrons) can become mind-numbing. You need variety! Try a group fitness class or experiment with, Bosu balls, resistance balls, kettle bells, and the Jacobs Ladder. The more variety you have in your workout, the more apt you are to stick with it.
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Stay on track by putting your money where your mouth is. A great way to do that is to pay in advance for a personal trainer who will demand you show up each week. Knowing someone’s waiting for you will not only hold you accountable, but it will also prevent you from skipping out on workouts.
Use an App to Stay Motivated
MyFitnessPal is one of my favorites. It’s a great place to track your progress, set new goals, and stay connected with a community of people who have similar goals. It’s definitely easier to stay on the right path when you have structure and a supportive community cheering you on.
Think Outside the Box
If your goal is to simply burn more calories every day, there are plenty of activities you can do outside of the box to achieve that. Get outside and shovel, take the stairs, or volunteer to clean the house.
Pick up a pedometer to keep track of how many steps you take each day. Every minute you’re not sitting around is a step in the right direction.
Don’t Be Afraid to Scale Back
Once the excitement of a new year and a new resolution have worn off it can be easy to throw in the towel. There’s not a single person on this planet who hasn’t stumbled in their path to success.
Yes, some people love intense workouts, but for others, waking up in pain isn’t their idea of a good time. You certainly don’t want to dread going back to the gym. Nothing will derail a fitness resolution faster than someone who hates exercise. A challenging workout should push you a bit outside of your comfort zone without you needing Ibuprofen, a massage therapist and Bengay the next day!
In Conclusion:
Once the excitement of a new year and a new resolution have worn off it can be easy to throw in the towel. There’s not a single person on this planet who hasn’t stumbled in their path to success. You just have to make sure you stick with it! Remember you haven’t truly failed until you’ve given up.
View fitness as an investment not an expense. Making your health a priority is one of the best decisions you will ever make! Good luck to you.
I have been a personal trainer for over seventeen years and I absolutely love what I do. I honestly feel that I have one of the best jobs out there! The most rewarding part of my profession is helping one of my clients succeed at reaching their personal fitness goals. Making a difference in someone’s life makes it all worthwhile. I am currently certified by the National Sports Conditioning Association, Apex Fitness Group, and the International Sports Science Association.
