The New Year represents a new opportunity to set new goals and commitments, but for many, they are just mere pronouncements inspired by a need for self-motivation. Daily tasks require a lot of focus and energy, whether work or family-related and to add on top of that, fitness-related goals. But there are many reasons why many fail to stick to their new year's resolution.
If you are worried that you may fall break your fitness resolution before the year runs out, we have created the ultimate guide to help you smash your 2022 goals.
You might had set many goals in 2021 that you were unable to reach, and now you feel like you lack commitment. It is not something to be ashamed of, as we've all been there. The euphoria of starting a new year makes us feel like we have everything under control, and it all looks so easy in our minds. But the problem is that you may be setting unrealistic goals.
For instance, promising to go to the gym every day of the week when you haven't set foot in a gym in months or vowing to start lifting 100kg when you haven't lifted 50kg yet, will only lead to disappointments.
So how do we make fitness resolutions and stick to them?
Start small
Again, unrealistic fitness goals are why you never get anything done. You do not need to go hard to prove that you will stick to your goals. Small steps are easier to take, so take your time, then gradually increase your stride. Do not try to do too much at once and too soon. The challenges of fitness are easier to manage when you start small. For instance, how about starting with 10,000 steps every day for the first half of the year. That seems like something that you can achieve and build on.
Don’t set weight-based goals
One of the biggest mistakes people make is making weight loss the main focus of their fitness resolutions. Doing so exposes you to the risk of failure. The question is, what comes next after you have lost fat? Soon you'll begin to struggle to keep it up, which can sometimes involve relying on restrictive diets. You are better off with a holistic approach by focusing on the reasons for wanting to lose weight. For example, if you want to feel stronger or fitter, you should commit to two days of strength training or running 40km a month. You will begin to notice gradual changes as you modify your lifestyle instead of making drastic attempts.
Keep a record of your progress
For every kilogram you lose, ensure that you are keeping a record. It is easier to keep records with fitness apps and devices, which help record your fitness activity, such as distance, the daily number of steps and your nutrition. One of the benefits of keeping these records is that they will serve as a source of motivation when your drive is low.
Be patient
Do not expect to see remarkable results after three gym sessions. Change is gradual in the world of fitness. A lack of patience is why many drop out only after a few weeks. Usually, it could sometimes take a few weeks before you start to feel different and see noticeable changes.
