The snow has fallen, the stores are busier than ever, and the holidays are upon us. It’s around this time of year that you may be thinking about working out and eating healthier even more than usual. Unfortunately, like many others, you may not be acting on those thoughts.
All of the eggnog, candy, and pie that we are surrounded by can be distracting us from actually working out and eating healthier, even though it reminds us of what we want to accomplish. All of this guilt can weigh us down, and even lead us to more bad habits. The best thing you can do is, keep moving forward.
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A lot of us wait until January to figure out our fitness resolutions. That can be a big mistake. Follow through with your current plans, and start making next year’s plans now. In order to help all of us tackle the new year, I’ve come up with 5 tips for making effective fitness resolutions.
Tip # 1 - Don’t rush in. I know that you want to show everyone, including yourself, what you’re made of, but results take time. Start out with a workout routine that is challenging but not overwhelming, and slowly progress from there. Take a note from an oldtime strongman on this one.
“The secret of all improvement in feats like this is gradual progress from one stage to another, the severity of the test only being increased by degrees that are hardly noticeable.” - Alexander Zass
Tip # 2 - Pick a goal. Having an idea of what you want is very important. And planning your workouts around that goal is even more important. If you’re looking to have the look and or ability of a tennis player then why would you train like a bodybuilder, and vice versa. Decide what kind of body you want, and make a realistic goal of how close you can get to that goal within the next year.
Tip # 3 - Use Note cards. This is a trick that works for some people. Try it and see if you like it. Take a few 3x5 note cards and right down a goal on each one. One might say to lose 5 lbs. and another might say to eat all of your veggies. These can be daily, weekly, or even monthly goals. It can also serve as a daily reminder for things like eating all of your veggies.
Tip # 4 - Keep a journal. This is not just about being accountable. Keeping track of your workouts will provide you with great satisfaction when you look back and see how far you’ve come. Not only do journals keep track of progress, they also keep us honest. If you workout without a plan you may forget everything that you need to do, and end up cutting your workout short. This is especially common when beginning a new routine.
Tip # 5 - Make it fun. With all of the different responsibilities in our lives, it’s no wonder that at the end of the day, the last thing we want to do is run on the treadmill. Cardiovascular training such as running is necessary for optimal health, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Replace some of your running sessions with sports like tennis, or racquetball. You can also try a group cardio class. Those types of activities not only improve cardiovascular health, but they also improve balance, agility, and coordination.
Now you have 5 tips that you can use to plan your workouts for next year and make your fitness resolutions a reality. Take 30 to 60 minutes to write out a plan, and have it ready so that you can remain resolute when January rolls around. Fitness resolutions don’t have to be complicated, and they don’t have to end after January. Make a plan to remain dedicated throughout the year.
Once you have that done, try to enjoy the holidays. If you miss a workout, this month, don’t let it be a huge deal. Just make plans that will ensure your next workout takes place. And as far as diet goes, a moderate amount of splurging is expected around the holidays. This is an especially significant time to enjoy the company of friends and family, so don’t waste it with worry.
