New Month, New Goals: Kick-Start Your Exercise Routine
Oh my goodness! It’s already March! Don’t fret if you are still trying to tackle one of your New Year’s Resolutions — getting in shape! Follow these tips and you’ll crush any fitness goals you’ve set!
Start off by setting new realistic goals. Sometimes we get ahead of ourselves and set goals that would be unattainable for the fittest person to achieve within a year! I suggest setting two goals. Have one short-term goal as something routine to focus on from day to day or week to week and one long-term goal. This goal is one you will need to push yourself to strive for.
What is an example of a short-term and long-term goal? Challenge yourself to hit the gym a few times a week for a set amount of time each session. Then, like my friend Amora, consider working toward running a race at a certain pace or distance.
Hang with like-minded people. Having an accountability partner can help keep you on track. It also is motivating so to see someone else trying as hard as they can to reach their goals. It may also push you to go harder if you start to fall behind.
Fitness should be fun. Find exercises that you like to do. The key to success is to get moving no matter what you do. Remember, you are already ten steps ahead of the folks still sitting on the couch. Find activities that mix things up and get you excited about working out. Try a new piece of gym equipment, a new home workout, take a nice walk with the baby in a stroller or take your dog along for a hike. Enjoyment is one of the key factors that drive consistency.
Be Realistic. I know I mentioned this when setting goals, but life happens. It’s March and if you are still working on achieving your fitness goals, its not the end of the world. It’s not the end of the world if you miss a day; as long as you continue to work towards a goal. Commit to the process and appreciate your small victories. Small improvements accumulate and bring you closer to a healthier and happier you!