If you’re like most people, you want to make next year better than the last. A lot of people start out the new year with high aspirations and big resolutions in their mind, by many fall short of their ultimate goal. There are a number of reasons why people can’t stick to their resolutions, especially when it comes to their health and wellness. Below, we’ll share five tips for keeping your New Year’s fitness resolutions.
1. Set Realistic Goals
You may be gung-ho about getting in shape in 2014, but you could be setting yourself up for failure if you’re not careful. Maybe you wish to drop 50 pounds or to work out five times a week, but it may be unrealistic to expect such a dramatic change so quickly. If you set the bar too high, you’re more likely to fail in the short term, which can derail your yearlong plans. Set goals that you can attain with a little extra effort. You’ll be more likely to achieve your ultimate goal if you continue to hit your smaller goals along the way.
2. Make a Plan
If fitness resolutions are in your future, hopefully you’ve already begun to make a plan of action. Maybe you asked for new workout clothes or a fancy pair of running shoes for Christmas, but it’s a good idea to take steps to prepare yourself before New Year’s Day. If you want to run more, but don’t have the right equipment, you can derail your resolutions before they get off the ground. Plan ahead by thinking about how you’ll fit your fitness goals into your busy lifestyle so you can appropriately manage your time as you get into a groove early in the year.
3. Write Down Your Goals
You’re much more likely to achieve your fitness goals if you write them down. It may seem silly, but putting them on paper is the best way to stick to your goals. Write it on every page of your family calendar, or put a small reminder in a place you’ll see every day. Also, by writing them down, you’ll be more likely to stick to that specific goal. For example, let’s say your goal is to work out four times a week. You start out January by sticking to your resolutions, but as February comes along you get busy and only workout 2-3 times a week. Maybe by this point you’ve seen some healthy progress and think it’s fine if you scale back to 2-3 times a week. Before you know it, you’re down to once or twice a week. If you have your resolution in writing, you’ll see a constant reminder of your original goal, and you’ll be more likely to finish what you started.
4. Grab a Buddy
Working out is always better with a friend. Talk about your fitness goals with your friends, and see if any of them have similar goals. You’ll find it easier to stick to your resolution if you have a buddy to drag you out for your workout on those days where you’re looking for an excuse not to go. That being said, make sure your workout buddy is really serious on sticking with their goal. If they seem like someone who will give up two weeks in, they can actually make you more likely to give up on your resolutions because they provide you with that easy excuse; “Well Jenny doesn’t want to go to the gym today, I guess I’ll skip too.” Be smart about a workout buddy, and ask friends to hold you to your resolutions.
5. Track Your Progress
Keeping track of your progress is a great way to put yourself in a good frame of mind when it comes to working out. It can be something as simple as putting a smiley face on your calendar on the days you work out, or by tweeting out your weekly weight loss on Twitter. You’ll keep working out if you see tangible results. Once you’ve documented your results, try to beat your personal record. See how many weeks you can work out at least four times, or try to lose half your goal weight by July 1. Tracking your progress is also a nice way to reward yourself, because you’ll be able to see how your hard work is paying off!
Best of luck to anyone with fitness resolutions in 2014. Check back regularly on the blog for more health tips!
