The new year is always a moment of reflection and resolution. One of the expected new year’s resolutions is to be in shape, but often there’s not enough motivation to see it through. Exercise takes a lot of hard work and commitment, so, it’s important to realise you’re not going to see drastic results overnight.
Achieving your fitness goals is within your reach, but only if you’re willing to put in the work. Being able to stick to your goals, despite any temporary setbacks, takes great skill, and you’d also need some assistance. But, if fitness is an integral part of your life, and you plan on sticking to it for the long haul, it all comes down to your commitment.
Here are six tips to help you achieve your new year’s fitness goals:
- Create A Schedule
It’s important to take the time to plan out your week so that you can meet your fitness goals. If you have a busy schedule, try planning out your workouts on Sunday evenings to schedule them in advance. By creating a schedule and sticking to it, you help ensure that you make time for exercise and diet.
Of course, even if you have a schedule, it needs to be flexible for it to work. For example, if you have an early morning meeting one day, don’t beat yourself up about taking that day off from exercise. Just wait for the next day and continue from where you left.
- Write Down Your Goals
Writing down your goals will help keep you focused each day as you strive towards them. Having them visible will also help remind you of what is important and keep you on track and motivated. Also, remember to break down your goals into smaller chunks to become manageable.
Sometimes, it can seem like there’s a huge distance between where you are now and where you want to be in the future. Breaking down bigger fitness goals into smaller chunks will help make achieving those bigger goals feel more achievable and less overwhelming. For example, if your goal is to run a 5km-race by the end of the year, break it up into smaller chunks. Try one kilometre in the first part of the year and increase up to five towards the end.
- Be Realistic
If you haven’t exercised in years, don’t assume you can jump into training for a race. Start small, like walking around the block once or twice a day. You can then start jogging around the block after some weeks; then later, when your body is ready, you can run.
If your goal is to lose 50 kilograms — and you’ve been overweight your whole life — it’s going to be a long journey. So, you better focus on how much weight you can lose each week or each month because you won’t lose all those in the first month alone.
- Get A Workout Buddy
Find someone who has the same fitness goals as you do and meet up for a workout, at least, once a week. This will allow you to push each other during workouts, hold each other accountable for missing workouts, and cheer one another on during tough workouts. But, if you want to go the distance, consider having a personal trainer Caulfield North.
People committed to working out with someone else tend to stick to their fitness routine longer than those who work out alone. Look for an accountability partner who will help keep you motivated and on track as you work towards your goals. If you don’t know anyone personally, there are many ways to find a workout buddy online — check out sites that connect people with similar interests and goals.
- Reward Yourself
Rewarding yourself helps keep you motivated to reach your fitness goals. This can be done in different ways, whether with a small treat such as chocolate or a more substantial reward such as buying a new gadget. Whatever motivates you, use it as an incentive to keep going.
- Stay Consistent
For some people, working out every day is easy and a natural part of their lives—they don’t even think about it. For others, however, staying consistent can prove to be very challenging. To maintain consistency, try scheduling workouts into your daily calendar as much as possible. If this isn’t possible, schedule them when you know that missing will not have negative consequences. For example, avoid scheduling your sessions during business hours to help you be consistent.
Conclusion
The tips above may be a starting place for your goals. The best way to make sure you’ll keep your resolutions is to set realistic goals. If you don’t, you’ll end up being overwhelmed and frustrated by them. This can lead to quitting altogether. These tips will help you achieve your goals, no matter how small or large they are. One new year, one newfound you.