As the new year begins, many of us make promises about what we want to achieve. While everyone has their own resolutions, a common goal is often to lose weight or get fit.
You might feel guilty about indulging over the holidays or notice how exhausted you are after all that Christmas shopping. Wanting to improve yourself is great, but many people struggle to stick to their fitness goals. How can you succeed? Here are some tips to help you stay on track.
A big reason people give up on fitness is because they don’t see immediate results. Losing weight takes time and effort, with plenty of ups and downs along the way. Instead of focusing solely on weight loss, think about other benefits like having more energy, looking younger, improving mental health, and getting better sleep. While losing a few pounds is nice, it shouldn’t be your only motivation.
Eating better is essential for weight loss too. Some people go on strict diets like keto or vegan, but you don’t have to make drastic changes. Try things like intermittent fasting or simply eating smaller meals and snacks throughout the day instead of three big ones. There’s no one-size-fits-all diet, so experiment to find what works best for you.
Talking to a life coach, counselor, or therapist can also help. These professionals can explain why people often fail to meet their resolutions and offer strategies to overcome those challenges. If you’re feeling uncertain, they can provide guidance and support.
Another reason people fail is the flexibility of gym memberships. Paying $15-$30 a month and being able to cancel anytime makes it easy to quit. If you can afford it, consider a gym with an annual contract. Investing more money can motivate you to get your money’s worth.
Many people make the mistake of overdoing it when they start exercising. They use all the machines, lift heavy weights, and go all out, feeling great on the first day. But then comes the delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which can be discouraging. Ease into your fitness routine to avoid this. Remember, your body needs time to adjust, so start slowly and increase intensity gradually. Also, make sure you’re consuming enough protein.
Don’t let one slip-up derail your progress. If you miss a day at the gym or overeat, don’t beat yourself up. Everyone makes mistakes, and one bad day won’t ruin your efforts. Learn from it and move on.
Lastly, using a fitness app like MyFitnessPal can be very helpful. These apps let you set goals, count calories, and track your progress, providing the motivation you need to stick to your resolution.
Instead of making your resolution an empty promise, turn it into a commitment. Make this year the one where you achieve your goals.
