10 Easy Tricks to Actually Stick to Your Fitness Resolutions

So here it is, January 2nd and most people that have set their fitness resolutions have already began the process of giving up on their fitness goals. I've been there and done that, saying things like, "I'll start next week." or "Today is a day to recover from last night and watch parades and football." If you have ever been to the gym in early January, you know that it is the busiest time of the year for gyms. This mayhem in the gym doesn't usually last too long and is back to normal attendance by mid-February.

Why is this? Maybe it's because many of us make a fitness resolution because it's the easy answer but, we aren't truly committed to making a health change. However, if you are serious about making a change, sticking to a fitness or weight-loss goal is easier than you might think. Follow these simple tips to have your healthiest year yet.

1. Be S.M.A.R.T. and Write

Resolutions, or goals as I like to call them, should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-Focused, and Timely, in short.....SMART! Setting broad, vague goals can actually make people depressed. Writing down your goals can help you develop a blueprint of the exact steps needed to get there.

"I want to lose weight" is one that I hear all the time, but the road map from start to finish is confusing. Instead, try being more specific with your goal. For example: "I want to lose 10 pounds over the next six weeks by not eating fast food and going to the gym three days a week. I will then maintain my goal weight for three months before setting any new goals." Breaking down the goal into numeric benchmarks, and keeping a checklist will help make the task a little simpler and keep you on track.

2. Keep it Manageable

Don't live in a fantasy world. If you haven't step foot in the gym in over a year, a goal of going to the gym 6-7 days a week is probably just going to be setting yourself up for failure. The key is to make small changes gradually. If you don't run but want to run a half-marathon, just start with walking a few days a week. After a few weeks, start light jogging, and eventually ease into running.

3. Small Chunks

Setting a goal to do 15,000 Burpees in a year is pretty intimidating. However, doing 41 Burpees a day, well, that's still pretty scary, but it's DO-ABLE!! A goal that is too far into the future or way out of your comfort zone can be tough to start and even tougher to keep up, so break it down into smaller steps.

4. Treat Yo Self!!

When you hit those before mentioned benchmarks, reward yourself!!! No, I don't mean a day of pizza, pie, and beer (don't undo everything you have done). Go buy yourself a new pair of shoes, get a massage, a movie night, or some new workout clothes. Regular treats for each mini goal can help motivate you to reach those milestones faster!

5. Ask Yourself Why?

Everyone gets in ruts every now and then. When you are having a bad day or aren't feeling good, remind yourself of why you set this goal? What will hitting this goal mean to you? Having answers that spark a powerful emotional response can help motivate you to keep going towards your goals!

6. Ask for Help

Book a session with a personal trainer. Trainers help clear up any confusion about certain exercises, help prevent injuries, and can show you new techniques to boost your results. If the gym is too intimidating, like it is for my wife, hire an in-home personal trainer. This type of personal training will have a more personal approach to helping you reach you goals and be able to do so in the comfort of a private studio or even you own home!

7. Keep a Schedule

Time management is key to achieving any goal. Early morning, is a great way to fit a workout into your schedule. However, if you're like me and getting up an hour earlier is torture, pick a time of day that works best for you and STICK TO IT! That time is a non-negotiable part of your daily schedule. Put it in your calendar!!

8. Re-evaluate

I have set goals to run a marathon. Then I realized that I don't really enjoy running. Some decide to take up Yoga, but need something with a little faster pace. What might seem cool or interesting from a distance, might not be a good fit once you get started. If this happens to you, switch gears and hit the reset button on a new goal! JUST DON'T QUIT ON YOUR HEALTH!!

9. Buy Some Swag

If you're serious about fitness, get a sweet pair of running shoes, some dry-fit shirts, a cool yoga mat, a new pair of ear buds or headphones.....whatever will get you excited about exercising! New swag can help your confidence and get you out the door. After all, nobody wants to spend $50 on a shirt that never gets worn, right?

10. Don't Be Afraid to Scale Back

You don't need to be blowing chunks into a trash can, sweating out of places that you didn't know could sweat, or doubled over in pain to have a "killer" workout. Some people like that type of workout, but for the majority, pain just means that they will dread exercise. A challenging workout should get you out of your comfort zone and push you a bit, but you don't need to blast yourself off at a million miles an hour.

Just remember, there is not a single person on earth that hasn't stumbled on their path to success. The key is DON'T GIVE UP!! Keep these 10 tips in mind as you embark on your fitness journey and the sky is the limit!!

#education #fitness #resolutions #healthtips #personaltraining #goals