It may seem like you can wait until January 1 to get healthy, but if you don’t start planning now, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Here are five simple ways to kick-start your New Year’s resolutions.
1. Find a workout you like.
Figure out what kind of exercise you want to do.
This is very important because you have to enjoy what you are doing, or you will not stick with it.
- If you hate cardio, find a program that focuses on lifting weights.
- If you hate the gym, find a program you can do at home.
- If you love yoga and pilates, find a studio that offers at least three to five classes a week.
The key takeaway here is: Consistency
2. Set realistic, specific goals.
You need to have very specific goals. A goal of, “I want to lose weight” will never work. You need to get very specific.
Want to lose weight? Great!
- How much?
- Want to tone a certain body part? Great!
- How many inches do you want to lose?
- Want to build muscle? Great!
- How many inches do you want to gain?
These are very important questions to answer. And again, if you have no idea what you are doing, find a coach or a trainer to have a consultation with. Be sure to make goals that fit your skill level.
- If you’ve never run before, don’t set a goal of running a race within a couple of months.
- If you’ve never lifted weights, start off with some cardio.
The most important aspect is to be realistic. If you make a goal of losing 20 kg’s in three months, you may be setting yourself up for failure. Find a plan that fits your lifestyle and that is made up of an exercise style you enjoy, and let whoever is helping you set realistic goals.
What worked for me is rather than setting a weight goal, I set a diet/lifestyle goal to not eat sugar while maintaining and developing a fluent workout plan.
3. Pay for it now.
Don’t wait until January to start shopping.
You need to get it set in stone now, so you’re 100 percent ready to go on January 1.
Find a gym, a yoga studio or a workout program you like and genuinely feel you can stick with, and pay for it within the next two weeks. Once you have that part accomplished, you can get your mindset for following through with it come January. Treat yourself to some fun accessories that you will need for your plan as well.
- Joining a yoga studio? Buy a new yoga mat with a fun design that you love.
- Going to start running? Buy some new running shoes that fit like a glove.
- Going to start a weight program? Buy some new dumbbells to use. Get a heart rate monitor and some workout clothing.
Ask for workout things from your friends and family for Christmas presents.
Get yourself excited to use these things, and it will be much easier to jump into it come January.
4. Ask for help.
If you are a beginner, you will need guidance. You can also join a running club or a social gym like Crossfit. Having support and accountability is extremely important to sticking with your plan. There are way too many resources out there for you to waste your time and not accomplish anything.
Figure out what works for you, and go after it.
5. Don’t overdo it this month.
It is very easy to get into the mindset of, “I will get healthy in January, so I’m going to enjoy myself now.”
This is setting you up for failure. The further you have to go to get to your goals, the harder it is going to be. Think about that.
You don’t have to skip the holiday parties and libations, but moderation is key. Making a plan now, and getting your mind ready to execute it, will help you tremendously when trying to set and accomplish health and fitness goals in 2017.
Follow these steps to start preparing now, and remember to ask a professional for help. With a little help and preparation, 2017 can be your healthiest year yet.
“What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.” ― Timothy Ferriss