Achieving your fitness resolutions

Many of us wonder how to make our resolutions last.

1. How can I lose weight?
2. How can I quit smoking?
3. How can I get healthier?
4. How can I make this a lasting lifestyle change?
5. How can I manage stress in times such as these?

Don’t overwhelm yourself. Take a deep breath and let the anxiety ow out of you. We’re here to help.

Keep your goals attainable

When we set unrealistic goals, we can tend to feel defeated. You may be feeling motivated and excited about your goal, but don’t let your ambition lead you to unattainable levels. If you want to try a new activity, don’t commit yourself to 5 times a week – start slowly and consistently so that your body gets used to it, and build from there. Giving yourself the ability to meet your goal in small steps can help you avoid discouragement along the way.

Find a workout buddy

A friend with a similar resolution can be a great motivator. Stay on track and accountable with a workout buddy. And even if you can’t find anyone in real life, don’t hesitate to join an online community that is oriented towards your goal for helpful support and handy tips. Check whether your workplace offers a wellness program for free or discounted fitness classes.

Make your goals measurable

For your goal to be attainable, it’s important that you make it specific and measurable. For example, if you want to exercise more, set the amount of time you want this to be: 30 minutes a day, 4 times a week; or if you want to lose weight, make sure you know exactly what healthy weight figure you want to achieve. If your health goal is to drink more water, begin by adding an 8-ounce glass each morning. If you want to cook more meals, don’t set yourself up for failure by pledging to spend hours doing a week’s worth of prep work. By assigning a measurement, you are specifying what goal success looks like. To help you keep track of your progress, you can use an activity tracker where you can log your food intake and exercise.

Invest in yourself

We know that a gym membership can be pricey but consider buying yourself some workout gear or a new set of weights that can inspire you to make a change. Not only will you feel excited about trying out your new equipment, the fact that you spent money will also push you to make the extra effort to stick to your goals.

Stay positive

It can be difficult to make changes in your life, but focusing on the negative side will only discourage you. Try not to think about how tired you will feel after a session at the gym, or how much stress it may cause you if you stop smoking – believe in your goal and try to constantly remind yourself of the benefits and the impact it will have on your life. Focusing on the positives will help you stick to your resolution and make it happen.

Please remember that our efforts to change don’t happen in a vacuum. Staying motivated is a challenge for just about everyone. Whatever your goal is – the important thing is that you are on the right path to achieve it. Good luck!