New New Years Resolution?

How To Achieve Our #Fitness Goals

We've officially entered the second month of the year; how are those New Year Resolutions going? 

We know how it goes; in December, we are high on the idea of changing and evolving who we are. We are always looking for something to change, from our wardrobe to our eating habits and maybe even the people we hang around. But, the closer and closer we get to the start of the year, the louder these thoughts get in our minds. We know we can do it. We have the gym membership, the newest agenda on the market, and we are filled to the brim with determination. But then, for some of us, the volume of those thoughts decreases until they are inaudible the second week of January. Or, let's be honest, how many of us forgot about our whole plan to evolve on the second day of January? 

I am here to tell you, you are not alone. Truthfully, in the past, I totally forgot what I had anticipated for the new year as quickly as New Year's day ended. But this year was different for me. I reflected on January 31st and realized, for the most part, I was in line with many of the goals I had. I was consistent in my faith and dedication to Christ; I was at the gym multiple days each week, my eating habits were improving, and I was really proud of my commitment to accomplishing what I set out for the new month. But what was different? Intentionality.

Being intentional in my goals allowed me to get up and wake up confidently each day, knowing that I would reach my goals. No matter what, I was excited for the day ahead. All days will not be perfect, and I was not always jumping for joy at the thought of being at the gym. But my motivation came from how I knew I would feel when I did the work.

So how can you begin to tackle those fitness New Year Resolutions?

First, reflect on your why. My many failed attempts at maintaining a regular workout routine revealed that I needed to be more passionate about why I wanted the results. How would reaching these fitness goals make me feel? How do I feel at my current activity level? Addressing these questions offered an honest reflection on the importance of creating a fitness routine and sticking to it. When making New Year Resolutions, we passively think about them and often don't attach a significant reason behind them. Which sometimes results in the ease of dismissing the need to achieve them in the New Year or any time of the year. Choosing a reason to be committed to your fitness goals has to be significant enough to you, especially when you don't feel like moving.   Your why has to be the motivation that gets you out of bed. For me, it was to improve my overall health. I have a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure, and I wanted to make the changes now to prevent these illnesses from ever presenting. But your reason can be anything, as long as it matters to you; this could be a trip you have in six months, a wedding you're attending, or fitting in those pair of jeans you tried to bury in the back of your closet. Create that goal, and remember it.

Also, be realistic. Often what contributes to the downfall of our New Year Resolutions is that they are unrealistic and don't fit into our current lifestyles. If you can only attend the gym two times a week, that's okay. There are many ways to get your body moving throughout the day that doesn't include going to the gym, such as choosing to take the stairs at work. You will see a significant difference with as little as a few weeks of commitment to frequent physical activity.

This brings me to my third point, create a schedule and be intentional. Have a moment in solitude to reflect on your current day-to-day activities and see how you can schedule a session at the gym, a brisk walk, or any type of physical activity. This may include waking up 1 hour earlier some days, incorporating a walk on lunch breaks, and moving some things around a few days out of the week to dedicate time for yourself. Remember, this goal is for you; be intentional with the time you set aside for yourself. Scheduling also includes organizing your workouts to target your goals. For example, I love weight-lifting and I split my workouts into 3 days, focusing on my lower, upper, and full body. Creating this workout schedule allows me to stay focused on my progress on each body part and gives me an expectation for each day, so I am confident when completing my exercises. Many resources on YouTube and Google have aided me in choosing the activities I will use for each muscle group and how to do them. 

Finally, I want you to find joy in what you're doing. Exercising can be fun. There are a variety of ways to move your body. Whether you join a dance class, a group workout session, yoga, or pilates, your body benefits. If you don't like running or specific exercises, explore others you like. Creating an enjoyable workout and genuinely enjoying the time you get to move your body will make it more likely for you to stick to your goals. Create a playlist with your favourite songs, read a book on a walk, listen to your favourite podcast, or catch up with a friend. Research what exercises to do, but tailor the experience to you with things you enjoy.   So explore how you like to move your body and have fun! By the end of the year, you will look back and realize that it was more than a New Year Resolution.