Tips To Stick With Your Fitness Resolutions This New Year
Most people start the New Year with lofty fitness resolutions, but only a few take them beyond spring. It happens even with the most committed people, no matter how hard they try to maintain the initial momentum. Although you may have all good intentions to focus on your health goals, losing track is easier than you imagine. You may feel lazy, miss out on motivation, or struggle with everyday temptations. But failing to stick with your goals and resolutions means you may never become your healthiest version. Fortunately, you need not do much to overcome these challenges and stay true to your commitment. Let us share some tried-and-tested tips to stick with your fitness resolutions this New Year.
Set reasonable goals
A lack of clear and reasonable goals is often the reason for missing out on fitness resolutions. Although you may want to lift more, run faster, or lose weight in 2023, these goals are broad and unspecific. You may never reach them because they are not measurable, so set a weight loss target, such as two pounds every month, instead of only chasing weight loss. Besides being more specific, you must also be realistic with goal-setting. Going too far with your expectations only stresses you out. There are good chances of giving up in the middle of the initiative when the goals seem out of reach.
Determine your purpose
Having an attainable fitness goal gives you a good start, but it is not enough to keep you motivated. However, determining your purpose gives you a better reason to stay true to your resolutions. For example, you may want to lose weight to overcome a specific medical condition like diabetes and hypertension. Alternatively, you could simply chase a look-good goal but avoid doing it due to societal pressure. Have a valid reason to work hard without losing your motivation. You will definitely see the difference within a few months.
Write down your goals and resolutions
Surprisingly, writing down your fitness goals and resolutions puts you in a better place to stick with them for the long haul. In fact, you can print a few copies to display them where you can see them every day. Put one up on your refrigerator, place another one in your car, and carry a copy to work. The more you see your goals and resolution, the better you are likely to get with adherence. You can also create weekly milestones and jot them down on sticky notes to make the plan more actionable.
Establish a realistic schedule
After planning and writing down your fitness resolutions, you must get down to real action. Establishing a realistic schedule gives you better chances of sticking with it throughout the year and beyond. Consider your daily routine to fit in a workout schedule at an optimal time of the day. A morning routine is ideal for early risers, while night owls do better with an evening session. Avoid going against your natural rhythm because you are less likely to adhere to a routine that does not go well with your body and mind.
Plan for relaxation
Planning for relaxation is as crucial as creating a fitness schedule. After all, you need a break after a strenuous session to refuel your energy and boost your motivation. Getting ample rest following the workout is the key. You can also plan a weekly break or take one when your body asks for it. Consider adding cannabis to your relaxation schedule because it offers several benefits, from soreness relief to anxiety alleviation and better sleep. The sundae driver strain is an excellent option for fitness buffs as it sets you up for immense relaxation and sound slumber after a high-voltage session. You can also include a meditation session in the relaxation ritual for better outcomes.
Spice things up
Staying true to your New Year’s fitness resolutions is much easier if you make things more interesting. Experts recommend spicing up your workouts by including a variety of activities. Exercising the same way sounds boring, and you may want to give up at some point. Collaborate with a personal trainer to devise a custom plan that includes exercises aligning with your interests and goals. Look for a mix of gym activities with outdoor exercises and low-impact workouts like yoga, swimming, and tai-chi. Variety makes working out exciting and boosts motivation.
Find a buddy
Another surefire way to stick with your fitness resolutions this New Year is to find a workout buddy. Having a partner fosters healthy competition, so you can go the extra mile to compete with them. Likewise, you are least likely to procrastinate or feel lazy when your buddy expects you to join them for daily workout sessions. Look for an ideal fitness buddy who shares your passion and enthusiasm. You may collaborate with a friend, colleague, or even your spouse to get the best results and maximize adherence.
Avoid beating yourself up
Even the most committed fitness enthusiasts may fall short of goals, milestones, and timelines. But beating yourself up is the worst way to deal with the situation, as you may end up feeling lost and depressed. You are likely to give up completely by being too harsh with yourself. Be kind and forgiving even if you fail to match your plans and expectations. You can always make a comeback later, so take a break and start afresh when you feel ready. Also, reward yourself for the good work every time you achieve a mini-milestone.
Sticking with your fitness resolutions this New Year is possible, provided you take the right approach and mindset from the outset. You must start with realistic and measurable goals instead of going too far with your vision. Also, break them into small and actionable milestones because they are more achievable. Prioritize relaxation because they are as important as sticking with your schedule. Staying true to these basics is enough to beat the workout blues and achieve your goals without stressing out and pushing yourself too hard.
