As the new year begins, many of us have promised ourselves to start exercising. Unfortunately, the majority of us fail to keep our resolutions, and only half of us manage to stick to some of them. To avoid becoming one of the many who only work out at the start of the year, here are seven ways that can help keep you active all year long.
- Don’t make exercise your new year’s resolution only to abandon it come February. Everybody realizes that resolutions of this kind tend to fail, so don’t begin the year with unrealistic expectations. Factor exercise into your broader objective of leading a healthier life.
- What is your motivation for exercising? Focus on the core reasons and avoid setting goals such as weight loss and muscle toning. How will achieving your objectives improve your life? For instance, by shedding weight and enhancing muscle strength, you will be able to do more activities with your children, dance with your partner, or be an energized grandparent.
- No matter where you are in terms of fitness level, it’s important to begin exercising at an appropriate rate. If you haven’t worked out in a decade, it’s best to start with three thirty-minute sessions a week rather than five sixty-minute workouts. Doing too much too quickly can cause disappointment, soreness, and even injure you.
- It’s much more likely to stick to an exercise routine if you have someone who holds you accountable. You are more likely to get up and go to the gym or walk around the track if you know that a friend or coach is expecting you. Finding an accountability partner can be a great idea.
- It is essential to have both short- and long-term goals. Short-term goals are beneficial to keep working towards your long-term ambition. For instance, running a mile is a great short-term goal to continue striving for the ultimate goal of running a 10K (6.2 miles). Being precise and specific, such as “I want to lose 20 pounds by spring break”, is more effective than just saying, “I want to lose weight.”
- In order to stay committed to staying active, it’s important to choose activities that you find enjoyable. Exercise shouldn’t be lumped in with unpleasant tasks like paying taxes or tidying up the garage. You don’t need to stick to the same old routines like running on a treadmill or doing a hundred sit-ups. Anything that increases your heart rate and works your muscles counts as exercise. Have a good time!
- Be aware of potential problems. During the course of the year, you may experience certain situations that are beyond your control and interfere with your workout schedule. It is important to be prepared for these so that you do not become discouraged and give up. Then, when things are better, you can go back to your exercise regime.