Every December, we begin thinking about what’s in store for the new year and we start planning what our New Year’s resolutions will be. If you’re like most people, you’ll probably incorporate new fitness goals into your resolutions. Perhaps you vow to start going to the gym, are determined to lose weight, or simply want to stay active. However, most people struggle to keep their resolutions, often falling back into their old habits of inactivity and life without fitness. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Here are four tips on how to stick to your fitness New Year’s resolutions for the upcoming year.
1. Set Small and Specific Goals for Your Resolutions
People often break their New Year’s resolutions because they set unattainable and unrealistic goals. They don’t see immediate progress so become discouraged and give up. That’s why it’s important to make sure your goals are small and specific. Instead of the ambitious goal of losing 50 pounds, start with 10 pounds. It’s an easier goal to reach, and when you do reach it, you’ll be satisfied with yourself and you’ll want to continue on your weight loss journey. Fitness resolutions should be part of a marathon, not a sprint. If you try to reach unattainable goals too fast, you will often fail.
2. Find a Fitness Buddy
The best way to hold yourself accountable is to have someone else hold you accountable. Find a gym buddy, whether it’s a family member, significant other, friend, or work colleague. Make sure it’s someone high energy so they can keep you motivated. You’ll both hold each other accountable and bounce off each other’s progress. On the days when you’re not feeling up to the gym, not going will also affect your gym buddy’s progress — not just your own. It will give you the energy to get to the gym on the days you’re feeling lazy and tired.
3. Remember to Track Your Progress
A great way to ensure you are adhering to your newly set fitness resolutions is to keep track of all your progress. If you chart your progress, you’ll be creating a tangible thing you can look at and follow. This will allow you to keep pushing forward and not give up. Tracking your progress can include tracking the exercises you’ve done for the day, tracking your weight, or tracking how far or how long you’ve run for. Just remember to write it all down. Seeing your progress written down every day will help you build confidence.
4. Reward Yourself
Tracking your progress is also a great way to decide when it’s time to reward yourself for your hard work. Rewarding yourself is an important part of reaching your goals. You should be celebrating your successes. Now, this doesn’t mean eating everything in sight, but rather doing something you like because you have been working so hard. If you’re losing weight, this could mean buying a new outfit that fits your new body style. Rewarding yourself is critically important because you must keep reminding yourself that what you’re doing is good for you. Anytime you do something positive for yourself or your body, you should be proud and you deserve the reward.