If packed gyms on January 1 are any indication, everyone starts off the new year with the best of intentions — from upping your organisation skills to getting fit after a hectic holiday season. However, statistics have found that only a fraction of people actually stick with their resolutions. Here are some simple ways to see the happy and healthy new year all the way through.
Start off slowly
It might have been the champagne talking when you decided you were going to run a marathon – even though you don’t own running shoes. Rather than setting unrealistic goals, start with ones you can achieve, like starting off with a beginner’s running plan and then moving onto training for a 5K or a 10km race if you’re new to running and build from there.
Work with your personality — not totally against it
Don’t set yourself up for failure. If you’ve never been a morning person for example, don’t decide to start working out every day at 6 am. Instead, pick a time when you’ll actually enjoy going to the gym and you’ll be much more likely to keep that motivation and feel positive about the changes.
READ MORE: 5 Easy Ways To Refresh Your Fitness Routine
Monitor your success
Apps and fitness trackers are great tools for helping you along the way. You can use various apps to track your weight, measure body fat and water levels and obtain bone mass info.
Find support in numbers
It’s easy to join a gym and just not show up, but signing up for a class or a running group means you’ll have a built-in network to help you see it through. Even pairing up with a friend means you’re not just letting yourself down, and accountability is a powerful motivator.
READ MORE: 7 Ways To Find A Workout Buddy You’ll Actually Like
Check In with Yourself
Add a reminder to your calendar at three months, six months, and nine months to see how well you’ve stayed the course. It’s never too late for a resolutions re-boot and following up with yourself down the line will either make you feel proud or motivate you to get back on track.
