For 45% of us New Year’s resolutions are a real thing. Unfortunately, only about 8% actually reach their goal each year. Historically gyms experience about a 25% increase in membership in January. However, by mid-February attendance is back to normal.
But, there are some simple things you can do to increase your chance of success. Here are 5 of the more popular habits that will help you make it:
1. Make Your Fitness Goal(s) Realistic
One sure way to make you give up on a resolution is to set too ambitious a goal. That 20 pounds you want to take off didn’t come on overnight, but many people expect to take it off that fast. When it doesn’t happen according to their unrealistic schedule, they give up, (and often end up gaining even more weight). Make sure you set SMART goals — Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.
2. Exercise With A Buddy
Being accountable to another person is one of the best motivators there is. Once into your New Year fitness, your excitement may begin to wane. But you won’t want to let down your exercise buddy, so you’ll keep going to the gym to work out together. The truth is your buddy may not have felt like working out either but did anyway to keep from letting you down.
3. Keep A Journal
Writing down your starting weight, BMI and other pertinent facts, and then keeping track of your progress, is another great motivator. It’s a visual record of the headway you’re making. Be sure to write down anything that could or did affect your workout, like your mood and emotions. Recording these things makes everything more clear and does a great job of keeping you on track.
4. Make It Fresh
If you keep doing the same routine, you’ll get tired of it. Also, your body will adapt and become more efficient so it won’t burn as many calories as it did when you started. Periodically change things up. Try a routine that exercises different muscles. Keep your body guessing. You’ll see the difference on the scale.
5. Reward Yourself
Because your goal is so far away, your enthusiasm may falter. One way to prevent this is to establish intermediate goals, milestones, in your journal. Once you reach a milestone, reward yourself and start working toward the next one. Just make sure your reward doesn’t sabotage your efforts. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, don’t reward yourself with a high-calorie, high fat meal. Instead, try buy that new workout outfit.
Stay the course with these 5 tips. You’ll find it easier to stick with your New Year’s resolutions.
