Did you know that by the 10th of January, most people will have given up on their get fit New Year’s Resolution? It seems like for the average person 10 days of suffering is all they can put up with. And can you blame them? After the extravagance of Christmas, the last thing we want to do is go to the other extreme and torture ourselves with unrealistic goals.
If your New Year’s resolution this year was something along the lines of “I’m going to get fit” then listen up. It is oh so easy to give up before you even really get started. Don’t give in! There are ways to make your New Year’s resolution a complete lifestyle overhaul, you just need to know how. Here are 5 Tips for Sticking to Your “Get Fit” New Year’s Resolution and transforming into a fitter version of you.
Don’t Go Crazy at the Gym
You want to get fit so you buy a gym membership and you start going every day. This might seem good in theory but in reality it is completely unrealistic. If you aren’t used to working out then going from zero to 100 is a surefire way to burn out. Start off gently by going to the gym twice a week for 45 minutes and spend the other days going on walks or bike rides. As you become comfortable with working out, you can gradually up the ante.
Don’t Starve Yourself
Just like with the gym, you need to ease yourself into your new lifestyle. If you switch from Christmas excess to starvation you will not last long. Reduce your calorie count gradually and don’t start skipping meals. You need to find a sustainable way to consume fewer calories so you can keep it up indefinitely. Instead of reducing the amount of food you eat, simply swap out the unhealthy bits for healthier alternatives.
Find a Fitness Buddy
If you are the kind of person who needs someone to motivate you then find yourself a fitness buddy. You can keep tabs on each other’s progress, workout together and swap tasty, low-calorie recipes. On top of that, if you have someone counting on you to stick to your resolution, you will be much more likely to stick to it. Letting yourself down is one thing, but you will think twice before letting someone else down.
Work on Your Mindset
If your motivation for getting fit is simply because you think you should, you probably won’t stick to your goal. You need to really want to change your life if you want to make any sort of lasting difference to your lifestyle. Think hard about what exactly you want to change. Do you want to tone up your body? Would a healthier diet benefit you? Perhaps you’re feeling blue and think exercise will lift your spirits. Know in your mind what you want to achieve and this will help you.
Be Flexible
One of the most important elements when it comes to getting fit and overhauling your lifestyle is discipline. You need to set a routine and stick to it. However, this does not mean your daily schedule has to be set in stone. Be flexible and you will be happier. If there’s an event you really want to go to on what should be your gym night, just swap things around. No-one is going to tell you off and it doesn’t mean you’re cheating, you are just prioritising your time to get the most out of your life.
