With the New Year getting closer every day, many people are turning to potential resolutions. Some will commit to finally writing that novel, others will try to meet new people. One of the most popular resolutions is to get in shape. However, we all know how most resolutions seem to disappear come February.
If you’re one of the millions of people who want to be healthier and more active in the coming year, it’s essential that you set goals you’ll be able to achieve (if you can set attainable milestones, you’ll be even more motivated to remain steadfast in your pursuit). To make it as easy as possible for you, we wanted to share a few tips about making the best fitness plan so you can become your healthiest, loveliest self.
Define Your Goals Clearly, Then Get Specific
It’s much easier to achieve goals when there’s specificity to them. For instance, instead of “I’d like to lose weight,” you could outline a goal to lose 10lbs by the beginning of march. And even if you don’t want to be that specific, consider establishing goals like:
- “I want to run at least thirty minutes five times a week”
- “I would like to do a full-body workout every morning”
- “I will attend a yoga class after work three times a week”
- “Instead of driving to and from errands, I’ll ride my bike”
This way you know exactly how to restructure your schedule. Additionally, marking a physical calendar or planner can be an effective way to show that you’re accomplishing your daily targets.
Set Realistic Targets
You’re not going to run a marathon or bench five hundred pounds the first time you go out to exercise. Truth be told, there’s a good chance you’ll never do either of those things. This is completely fine! Not everyone has to be an Olympian.
Be honest with yourself. Take your current physical and mental condition into account when you create your fitness routine. Modest objectives that you can actually achieve are better than outlandish goals that set you up for failure. We encourage shooting for the stars, but if you’re not realistic about the process, you might become discouraged.
It can be hard to ascertain what you will be able to handle before you start working out regularly. Start small and know that you can always adjust your plans later as you get more comfortable!
Keep it Holistic
Fitness isn’t only about exercise. Diet, mindfulness, and other aspects of your life are just as important for your health as physical activity. You can’t eat junk food all day and then justify it by going to the gym afterward. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a donut now and then, but too much of anything is a bad thing. That includes exercising! Balance is key.
Make sure to nurture your body and mind holistically. For example, consider trying:
- Meditation
- Practicing good sleep hygiene
- Multivitamins and supplements
- Gardening (maybe with supplies from Fedco Seeds)
- Maintaining a clean living space
If you don’t take your whole being into account, you’ll be frustrated by the lack of progress you achieve through fitness alone. Your whole lifestyle is going to have to change, at least slightly, to get in better shape.
Make it Fun!
Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. If done right, getting in shape can be a blast. One of the best ways to do this is to make it social. Go out for a run or to the gym with a friend. A “gym buddy” is a phenomenon for a reason. You can hold each other accountable and bring a social element into your workouts!
Selecting an enjoyable activity is also important. If you like to dance, consider trying Zumba! Do you love to be outside? Get out and start running trails. There are plenty of ways to make fitness fun.
Now Get Moving!
You’ve set your fitness goals, now it’s time to achieve them. Preparation doesn’t mean anything without follow-through. There’s only so much planning can accomplish. The most important part of hitting your target is to take action.
Now get out there and exercise!