Ah, it’s that time of year where the gym gets busy. Like, really busy. I guess I understand the whole ‘new year, new me’ thing, but I never really stuck with it. I know there’s a good feeling that comes along with a new year. It’s like a fresh slate. It’s your chance to do something different, even course correct. So, even though I’m not big on the new years resolution thing, that doesn’t mean I don’t understand the appeal. So, in the spirit of the holiday, I bring you today’s post: how to stick to your fitness new years resolutions this year.
Start Slow
I recently got back into working out last year. I didn’t really make it a regular part of my routine until the late spring/early summer when I found Orangetheory. Some people try to jump in with both feet when they start a new fitness routine, but I honestly think the most important tip is to start slow. When I started with Orangetheory, I was only going two days each week. I needed those days in between to recover. I hadn’t done hardcore workouts in a long time, so any more than that and I might have gotten discouraged.
Hold Yourself Accountable
I am a very money motivated person. I know, it’s not the best quality in the world, but paying for workout classes really got my ass into shape because I didn’t want to lose the money. I got out of bed at strange hours of the day and worked out back-to-back just because I didn’t want to not get my money’s worth. If you’re money motivated like me, a monthly purchase of classes might be just what you need.
If it takes something else for you to get to the gym, find it. Figure out what it is that will hold yourself accountable. Maybe it’s a workout buddy or the promise of something sweet afterward. Just find something.
Find Something you Like
Possibly the most important thing to do is to find a workout you actually like. Orangetheory was the first workout I found in a long time that didn’t bore me. I could stand the whole class and the heart-rate monitors made me competitive, so I burned more calories. A similar workout I’ve found are those at F45. I just started up at my local studio and am going on my off days from Orangetheory.
Either way, find something that you love. Try different things – ClassPass is a great option for the indecisive and most studios offer free into sessions! It’s easier than ever to find a workout that caters to you, so spend some time looking.
What are your fitness resolutions this year?
