Are you looking to set your health and fitness goals for the year? Often people start with the best intentions, then as time progresses they fall off track. Especially when your expectation does not match reality. Achieving your health and fitness goals won’t be an easy journey as such but the tips below can help you stick to your health and fitness goals.
Showing up to workout is the first step you should focus on. For many, just starting is the hardest step for each workout. Tell yourself you’ll just exercise for just a minute and see how you feel. Simply showing up will greatly improve your mood and before you know it you’ll be 15 minutes into your set workout. Additionally, set yourself small achievable goals, not huge milestones that seem out of reach. For example, set a goal to run for 5 minutes without stopping rather than 5 miles. Even if your end goal is 5 miles, breaking it down into smaller chunks will make it achievable.
As you start your health and fitness journey, celebrate your successes as they happen. However, these should not be large milestones. Rather you should celebrate small achievements, such as exercising 3 days in a row or hitting your 10th workout of the year. Write down the small achievements you want to reach and set up a reward plan. Rewards should not be food-based, try to select relaxation or mental health rewards instead. You could, for example, book a short massage or rent a movie.
Mindset is the biggest hurdle you will face when it comes to your health and fitness goals. An all-or-nothing mindset is common when it comes to fitness, which is why many people don’t even begin. Firstly you should accept that you likely will not want to exercise every day. Missing one day in your plan does not mean that your goals are off track. Simply focus on the next day and push yourself to just do a few minutes of exercise if you feel unmotivated.
At the beginning of the year, there is always an influx of people looking to achieve their fitness goals. However, by the end of January, many have given up due to lack of immediate results. Remember progress takes time, and you won’t see results overnight. Be patient, and you will begin to see results as you consistently follow your workout plan. Good things take time, especially when it comes to health and fitness as many changes are not physically noticeable immediately.
When you are at the gym, or in a class try not to compare yourself to others. Now, this isn’t an easy task, however, it is important to recognize that everyone is there for health and fitness – the same as you. Look at those who find it easy as inspiration. They were once in the exact position you are in now. Continue focussing on your goals and you’ll soon be inspiring others on their fitness journey.
Embracing the above ideas can help you stick to your health and fitness goals and will enable you to create a custom plan for your health and fitness goals that you can maintain. Remember to track your progress and celebrate each milestone you reach with a reward. Focus on the end goal – to increase your fitness and improve your health. By staying consistent, being patient, and giving yourself grace you will soon start to see progress and be on the road to achieving your goals.
Beyond fitness, it's important to look at your diet and eating habits. The best plans can falter if your diet is not in-line with your goals as well!
