No matter how many times people make resolutions to get fit for the new year and then quit by March or April, most of us continue to make them. The new year signifies starting fresh and getting another chance to do things right. There is nothing wrong with using the coming year as your start date to better health. What is important is actually getting started and doing so in such a way that you continue long past the time most people quit.
photo credit: ArmyStrongPA
1. Adjust your attitude - if you've always hated eating healthy and the thought of exercise makes you mad, then you better adjust your attitude quick. Getting back into healthy eating and exercise habits is a positive thing. Think and be positive about your new fitness goals.
2. Don't run out and join a gym - that is, until you weigh your options. There are several types of gyms to choose from. You have the typical commercial gyms with exercise machines, weights, classes, and more. Then there are specialized gyms that can range from kickboxing, boxing, Crossfit, and others. Try them out before you sign on the dotted line. You may find that one has a lot more variety which means more fun and a higher chance you will get your money's worth.
3. Figure out what you can do for free - joining a gym is a very common option for new year's resolutions, however, it isn't at all necessary to get into shape. I'm a big fan of body weight interval routines, running, and calisthenics - all of which can be done for free. Working out on your own can be challenging because you may not be sure of what types of exercises to do or how effective they can be. Below are some resources and inspiration for what can be achieved:
- Bar-Barians - these exercises are all about using your own body weight as resistance. I learned about them after interviewing Rick Seedman on this blog.
- Calisthenics Kingz - after interviewing HIT of Calisthenics Kings, I discovered just how effective calisthenics can be. They can be done anywhere and requires nothing but your own body.
- Turbulence Training - this is a program put together by Craig Ballantyne. I've watched several of his videos on YouTube and he has great examples of how to use interval training to burn fat and build muscle.
All of the above have YouTube accounts, so definitely check them out.
4. Get some basic gear - you don't need a lot of equipment to exercise (unless you are really specializing and need certain things.) For the basics, consider good running shoes, dumbbells, jump rope, stability ball, a GymBoss interval timer (I use this almost daily), or whatever you feel you'll need to help you workout. Keep it simple and avoid expensive equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, etc.) Those more expensive machines are often left to collect dust later on so don't buy them for the new year if you can help it.
5. Educate yourself - there are always things to learn from how your nutrition effects you to what type and how much exercise works best. Learning as much as you can will help you tailor diet and exercise to your own personal needs.
6. Stay accountable - it's easy to set goals, but unless you stay accountable, you are more likely to give up along with the others who have made the same resolutions of losing weight and getting fit. Accountability can be with a friend, family, a blog, fitness clubs (online or off.) When you have to answer to someone or a group, you don't want to let them or yourself down.
I'm all for starting over and setting new goals when it comes to fitness. If it takes the new year to get you started, then go for it!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
‘Tis the season for people to start getting back to the gym, hiring personal trainers and beginning a new workout regimen in hopes for a healthier future….. After these last few weeks of over-eating of course. I have been in the fitness franchise world for a long time and it’s amazing to watch people after January 1 pour into athletic clubs and gyms across the country. The key is keeping them in the gym after January has ended.
The best point made in your blog Eartha was ‘Stay Accountable’. People need to stay accountable to themselves and their fitness New Year’s Resolutions. Thanks so much for the blog Eartha and keep up the great work.
Thanks, Jane! I think it’s great that the new year gets people focused back on fitness. Hopefully most people will stick with it and accountability will help with that.
Great Article! Maybe it will help people stick to their new years resolution this year. We can use all the help we can get to stick to them.
Thank you, Sean. It definitely helps to go into the new year knowing what you want to achieve. Preparation may help people stick to good workout habits long after the new year.
These are some very helpful tips Eartha! I would like to add we all have to find something that will keep us motivated to get started and to continue. This is such a big problem that I see these days.
If you look long and hard enough you will be able to find something to keep you motivated to continue and reach all of your goals.
Excellent points. My personal favorite and one I definitely make clear to as many people I speak to pertaining to the topics of health and fitness is accountability and documentation of progress. Something I definitely recommend, as you mentioned, is blogs or friendly competitions with friends to keep you on top of things. Professionally, I am always sure to take clients measurements and body fat before they start, because clear and visible results, whether on paper or in the mirror, are a huge motivator!
I stumbled upon this blog accidentally, but great content!
Cheers,
Brian J. Roberts, ASFA CSN
http://www.thermovivacity.com/our-creatine.html
Is there a special point to greet the new year fitness? what’s the difference with our daily fitness?
This is just the time of year when so many people set goals to lose weight. The key is to make good on these goals and never give up. Most people give up too quickly when they don’t see quick results.