Have you thrown in the towel after 1 month of your fitness-focused New Year’s resolution?
If you’ve ever made a new year’s resolution, you’ll know how they typically go. You set yourself a challenge with the best of intentions, you work in a whirlwind of excitement and motivation, and after a few weeks, as the initial excitement dies down, you’re left with yet another resolution on the pile of failed attempts. This seems to be the case for all types of resolutions, but even more so when it comes to health and fitness. So how do you make a fitness resolution that sticks? Here’s my experience.
Fitness doesn’t exist in a bubble
The latest and greatest health and fitness plans work great if that’s your only focus. But when real life comes to play, there’s no room for all or nothing fitness goals. A 30-day detox or hardcore challenge might sound great at the moment, but fitness doesn’t exist in a bubble. What do you do when the kids get sick and suddenly you’re cleaning up vomit instead of going to the gym? How do you fit in a healthy meal plan when you’re running back and forth between home, school, work, and social activities?
The truth is, the best health and fitness goals work when they are integrated into your daily life. For me, with a small business, a young toddler, and a dog to look after at home, I simply can’t commit to a 2-hour exercise regime every day. Instead, it’s about making the best decisions you can with what you’ve got. Sometimes that means settling for a microwaved steamed bag of veggies with my protein instead of a fresh salad – but it doesn’t mean giving up on your health completely.
How do you create a fitness goal that works with your lifestyle?
The right health and fitness resolution is adapted to fit your lifestyle. There’s no one size fits all lean-body answer. Instead, tailoring your goals to suit you and your needs will help you reap the rewards you want. That’s not to say if you’re a couch potato you can continue living that way – but you do need to cut yourself some slack and set some realistic goals.
Here’s our top 8 tips for making your fitness resolutions stick:
1) Include protein at breakfast.
This will help you feel fuller for longer and give you the energy you need to tackle the day.
2) Take lunch with you, and make it something you look forward to eating.
This will help you avoid buying takeaway and giving in to cravings.
3) Start meal prepping.
I’m sure you’ve seen TikToks, Insta stories, and Facebook posts about meal prepping. But it actually works! 1-2 hours once a week of food prep will ensure you’re not rushed at mealtimes and lets you plan and choose the best options for you.
4) Incorporate any form of exercise into your daily routine.
Yes, a dedicated hour at the gym is great, but there are other ways to exercise too. Choose a parking spot much further away so you get more walking in, opt for the stairs instead of the elevator, and do some stretches or lunges between activities.
5) Improvement is more important than perfection.
Gradual and continuous improvement will always work better in the long run rather than beating yourself up over unhealthy choices you may have made. Remember…..Progress over perfection!
6) Don’t be afraid to seek support.
Personal training is the ideal way to achieve your health and fitness goals, but if you’re looking for something more affordable, then semi private personal training or group fitness might be the way to go. Even services like domestic cleaners, grocery delivery, and healthy meal deliveries can all be super beneficial by saving you loads of time.
7) Pair up with an accountability buddy.
Having someone to check in and make sure you’re staying on track will give you more motivation than doing it alone. Even better, if your buddy has their own goals you can hold each other accountable. And of course, a good personal trainer will help keep you accountable.
8) Take it day by day.
There’s no use in looking forward to the next week or month. This isn’t a race or a fad; it’s a lifestyle choice. Do your best each day and remember that it’s ok if your best looks different every day.
Looking to make your fitness resolution last? Our team are experts in matching your individual fitness needs with tailored workouts and realistic goals. Contact us for a chat and see how our personal trainers can help you.
