With the new years quickly approaching many of us are dreaming up a resolution to tackle in the new year. One of the more popular types of new years resolutions are the fitness based ones. Whether it's losing weight, getting that beach body, or just being healthier in general, the start of the year is one of the busiest times for gyms and other health clubs.
The big issue, is that motivation quickly drops off, and by February half those people are no longer keeping up with their goal. One month in and most people will have already given up. If this sounds like you don't dispair, a new year is a new chance to try again.
Make this year different, and take the following steps to stay on target of your goals.
Start Small
One of the best ways to get discoruaged is to set unrealiest expecations. It's important to start small and savor the small victories, otherwise its very easy to get discouraged. Once motivation fails, the goal quickly follows.
For example, if you're looking to lose weight set a long term goal for the year, but keep in mind individual goals for a month. It might seem insurrmountable to drop 20 pounds this year, but doing a single pound every two weeks seems much more reachable.
This helps keeps you motivated as you hit each individual milestone. Being able to see the small victories leading up to you larger goal keeps you on track, and gives you a much needed sense of progress.
Write It Down
As with any goal write it down somewhere, and make that somewhere you see everyday. A sticky note on your fridge, a reminder on your phone, anything that keeps it in your mind.
Studies have shown that writing something down makes it much more likely you remember it. With the hectic life many of live it can be easy for things to slip our minds and be forgotten. Don't let this happen to your goal! Keep it front and center in your mind.
It also helps keep you accountable for it. It can be easy to push something out of your mind, but not so much if it's staring back at you everday. Having that external motivation can help get you in the gym on those days you'd rather lounge on the couch.
Track It!
As a fitness tracking app we may be a bit biased here, but keeping track of your progress is still a great way to keep your motivation high!
Similar to writing things down, having a physical representation of your success helps make it more "real". It also helps to realize all those little successes you have that are so important to keeping up your motivation.
It can be difficult to keep going when progress has slowed; but with some tracking you can see that, while slow, you're still making progress. Every little bit of motivation makes it that much more likely you'll stick to your goals!
Make It a Group Effort
If you can, get someone else to commit to a similar goal to you. If you can get someone to be your "gym partener" you'll be much more likely to reach your goal. This is probably the best way to keep motivated all year long.
Now, not only is your success riding on you, but you have a role in helping your friend achieve theirs as well. This can be excellent motivation!
It also adds some additional responsibilty to yourself to achieve your goal. Before, if you failed it was all on you. Now however, you've added your friend to the people who can hold you accountable. The fear of failing in front of your friends is a big motivator for a lot of people. Even if you're not actively working with someone else, sharing your goal with friends and family is a great way to keep you accountable to achieve it!
Achieve Your Goal!
The new year is a great time to hit reset and work to build a better you. Whether that's through fitness or not, we all have ways to improve. Make it a point that regardless of where you end up with your resolution that you end the year better than you started.
It all starts with you. All the tips and tricks in the world won't help you if you're not fully committed to achieving your goal. So get out there, get pumped up and tackle the new year.
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The preceding article was not written or reviewed by a licensed personal trainer or dietitian and is intended for educational purposes only. Always consult with a physician before beginning any physical activity or fitness routine.