5 Ways To Keep To a New Years Fitness Routine
It’s easier than you think, and the results are even better.
Nothing quite says January as looking down the barrel of an ambitious New Years’ resolution. The start of a new year is a natural time to start a new routine. That, and what else are you going to do in the middle of winter?
New Years’ resolutions take a bit of a beating from time to time. It’s almost become a cliche that resolutions are made only to be quickly broken. Often, we fail to keep up with ambitious New Years’ resolutions because we don’t plan for them properly — either practically or mentally. When we try to establish a brand new routine, our old routines fight back, and we’re often unprepared for that.
Our best intentions fall away before they’ve had a decent chance to begin.
However, when it comes to your health, any time is a good time to start a fitness routine if you don’t already have one. While we’re introducing the idea of a fitness regimen in January, in truth, you can start at any time of the year. The challenge isn’t when. It’s how.
Here are five proven tips for helping you get started and staying committed to a new fitness routine.
1. Ask Yourself Why
Why are you interested in taking better care of your health? I mean, the obvious reasons would include feeling and looking better. Are there other reasons? Are you trying to manage a diabetic condition? Do you have a wedding or school reunion later in the year, and you want to look fit? Are you thinking of beach season?
Any reason is valid, whether it’s for health or appearance. The important thing is to have your motivation set clearly in your mind. Start a fitness journal to record your progress and write your reasons why on the cover.
2. Set Reasonable Goals
If you plan to lose 100 pounds in one month, I have bad news for you. Short of radical surgery, it’s not going to happen — and if it does, you need to see a doctor right away. Ask your doctor what a safe, reasonable amount to lose in three months would be, and set that as your goal.
Don’t expect to run a 5k if you’re the sort who hasn’t gotten up off the couch in a year. Running for half a kilometer every other day to start? Sure. And in a couple of weeks, add a day, add half a kilometer, or both. Over time, you’ll be running 5ks with the best of them.
But you have to keep your goals realistic — especially when starting out. Setting an initial goal too high will only end up discouraging you.
3. Keep Track of Your Progress
I mentioned above the idea of keeping a fitness journal. Being able to track your progress visibly can be a real booster to keeping you on your regimen. Write down how much you accomplished that day or week, followed by a record of your weight and (if applicable) your waist size.
As long as those numbers move in the right direction, you’ll feel better about making fitness a routine. If you see your numbers going in a direction you don’t want, you know you have to rethink your process.
4. Take Advantage of Resources Around You
Does your apartment complex have a fully equipped gym or swimming pool? Is there a running or walking track in your local park? Does the nearby high school allow locals to use their track during non-school hours? Are there bike paths in your town?
These are all things you can look into. You can, of course, also scout around for local gyms. Look for gyms with qualified fitness professionals on staff who can provide advice, training, and motivation as part of the membership deal.
5. Become Accountable
I’ve always liked the term accountabilibuddy. This is someone — a friend, partner, relative — who will help hold you accountable for sticking to your fitness resolution. Maybe they’ve even joined in with you. It’s also a fun word to say.
The point is to have someone to be accountable to. We’re far more likely to stick to a new resolution if we know someone is watching.
Then, when you hit those fitness goals, you have someone to celebrate with. Win-win.
In the End, Be Somewhat Forgiving
For a lot of people, exercise can seem like a real chore. A hassle, even. For those reasons and more, expect setbacks to occur.
At the same time, try not to be too discouraged. Everyone stumbles from time to time. What’s important is not to let the occasional obstacle shut down your resolution entirely. You can forgive yourself.
If you fall off the wagon, dust yourself off, then climb back on.
You’re going to be fine, and you’re going to look and feel great!
About the author
John Teehan lives in Rhode Island with his wife, son, and dog. He specializes in tech, health, business, parenting, pop culture, and gaming. Visit wordsbyjohn.net for more info and rates. Twitter: @WordsByJohn2