It's the new year and a lot of us are making that resolution to ourselves to begin getting fit. We tell ourselves that it's a new year and a fresh start and we really mean it when we make promises to ourselves. A few weeks go by and we are going strong and then...a month or few have gone by and we find that we have completely fizzled out in our resolution to get fit.
What happened???
Well, it could be any number of things honestly. It could be that we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. Or, there was a lack of accountability. Maybe you just got too busy?
Every fitness journey looks different for every individual but every journey starts exactly the same way - with the determination to make a change.
I would like to list a few things here that will help you in gifting yourself with fitness. These things have worked for myself and a number of others and at least one of these can help you begin a successful journey of getting fit.
> Find a fitness buddy that you can meet with during the week to work out with. I personally have a friend that meets me at the gym three mornings a week. This provides motivation for both of us to get to the gym especially on those days that we don't feel like working out. We can encourage one another and cheer one another on and it's also nice to have a friend to chat with throughout the week that knows exactly where you are on your fitness journey.
> Schedule your workouts for the week. I mean, literally sit down and write it in your calender when you are going to workout during the week. Treat it like an appointment or meeting that you can not and will not miss because it is of the up most importance to you. Know what workout you plan to do and what time of the day you can go do it and pencil it in. Allow yourself some flexibility if necessary but make it a priority. This strategy was crucial to me the first year of my fitness journey and I took these appointments with myself very seriously.
> Plan ahead. Knowing what workouts can be done while traveling allows you to continue your fitness journey while out of town. Or, if you know that there is a specific time of the month that you are more weak or fatigued (this is specifically for women during the luteal phase of their cycle), allows you the ability to plan work outs that are not as strenuous so that you can avoid an injury or avoid zapping your energy for the rest of the day.
> Join an online fitness group. The accountability of a group of people is motivating! Don't underestimate the power of a group of people cheering one another on.
> Find an exercise class or type of workout that you truly enjoy. I don't know about you, but if I hate a particular type of exercise, I'm going to dread it and not be as motivated to give it 100%.
> Spend some time writing down your long term goal, short term goals, and reasonable ways to achieve those goals. You have to be very specific when it comes to your goal writing. Don't be vague. Instead of "I want to lose weight" try instead "I want to lose 20 pounds in 6 months." Or instead of "I want to run faster" try "I want to run a 10K at an 8:20 minute/mile pace by September." Then begin to write out a reasonable and very specific plan to reach those goals so that you can set yourself up for success. When you are too vague with your goals or set your expectations too high, you've set yourself up for failure and discouragement.
>Find an accountability partner. This doesn't have to be someone that you work out with or see often. In fact, it can be someone that you rarely see. But it needs to be someone that you can be fully transparent and honest with that will check in with you daily to help keep you accountable. This person needs to be able and willing to call you on your garbage if necessary!
I hope that one or all of these strategies will help you find success this year with either starting or continuing your fitness journey.
May God Bless!
Ashley
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