Every year you make resolutions or goals to improve your health and fitness in the new year. Yet, not long after the start of the year, you find yourself back to your old ways (or stuck in a rut). Your intentions are good and you want to be the best version of yourself possible, but setting goals and actually following through with them are two different things. You don’t want to give up on your health and fitness goals, but you realize you need a new game plan. Below, is some advice on how to make sticking to those resolutions a bit easier.
Be Specific
The first bit of advice is to be specific about your resolutions or goals for the new year. Instead of just saying I want to lose weight, determine how much weight you want to lose over the next 12 months.
Be Realistic
As much as you want to meet your health and fitness goals in the new year you don’t want to set impossible resolutions. Or else, you’ll never reach them. For instance, if you’ve never exercised much in the past, hoping to be able to run in a 5k marathon by the summer is a bit much. You have to pace yourself.
Choose a Few Resolutions
Trying to do too many new things at once in a 12 month period is going to overwhelm you. Select maybe 2 or 3 things you really want to work on and create goals and steps to accomplishing them as opposed to taking on 5 or 10 things.
Get Help
Just as you know your strengths, it is important to know your weaknesses. There are some things that you’re simply not able to do on your own. This does not make you a failure, especially if you’re aware and get help to accomplish those resolutions. For instance, if you have a substance abuse problem and you can’t kick it on your own, going to rehab that offers outpatient in Seattle can help you overcome addiction.
Evaluate Processes
When making effective changes to your health and fitness evaluation is recommended. You have to measure your progress and determine whether the methods you’re using are effective. For example, if you’re walking every day to lose weight but don’t see any results after a month, perhaps you need to increase your walking speed. Evaluating your progress also helps to inspire you to press on. If you’re trying a new skincare routine to improve the appearance of your skin, taking photos of your skin every few weeks and seeing clearer, flawless skin encourages you to continue your routines.
Reward Yourself
There’s likely no better form of motivation than knowing there’s a reward at the end. Try finding affordable and healthy ways to reward yourself as you meet your health and fitness goals. For instance, if your goal was to lose 5 pounds in a month, if you reach that goal, maybe you purchase yourself a new shirt or dress to fit your new body. It’s your own personal pat on the back for a job well done.
Get Support From Those You Love
Sometimes it can be hard to keep your resolutions because you’re doing it alone. Having friends and family members to do things with you, or, at the very least, to hold you accountable, can give you the encouragement you need to press on. Ask your sister to start a fitness program with you, tell your significant other about your new diet and ask them to ensure you stick to it, or join a gym and participate in exercise classes so you’re working out with others.
It’s great that you realize the importance of continually building upon yourself. It’s also great that you want to improve your health and fitness. However, making these changes doesn’t happen overnight and if you’re not prepared you’ll quickly fall back into old habits and routines. Though your journey will still have some bumps along the way, utilizing the above-mentioned tips can make it easier to accomplish your goals in 2020.
