It’s a new year and you want to start that new gym membership to get that goal body you’ve always dreamed of. Many people rush into buying gym memberships or workout equipment during the new year to accomplish their new year's resolutions but how many people actually stick with their goals? Here are some ways to make sure you stay motivated and actually stick with your New Year’s Resolution.
1. Have a set workout plan
Do research on the type of body you are trying to get and the type of workouts that should be done. This would allow you to not only be knowledgeable about the exercises you are doing but also allow you to reach your goal sooner. A lot of the times people will just say that they will go to the gym and then do what they feel like when they get there. Having a set workout plan helps ensure continuity and allows you to get into the habit of following your plan daily (Alexandra, 2014). Motivation is what drives you to workout at the beginning of the year but habit will push you to continue until the end of the year.
Do research on the type of body you are trying to get and the type of workouts that should be done. This would allow you to not only be knowledgeable about the exercises you are doing but also allow you to reach your goal sooner. A lot of the times people will just say that they will go to the gym and then do what they feel like when they get there. Having a set workout plan helps ensure continuity and allows you to get into the habit of following your plan daily (Alexandra, 2014). Motivation is what drives you to workout at the beginning of the year but habit will push you to continue until the end of the year.
2. Tell someone about your goal
You should tell someone about your New Year’s Resolution goal so that he/she can keep you accountable. That friend can help check in every now and then to see if you have been following your plan regularly. It is even more helpful if you have a friend that has a similar New Year’s Resolution as you and is able to follow the same plan as you. Having a friend with a similar goal would allow you both to keep track of each other’s progress and keep each other accountable (Harvard, 2015).
You should tell someone about your New Year’s Resolution goal so that he/she can keep you accountable. That friend can help check in every now and then to see if you have been following your plan regularly. It is even more helpful if you have a friend that has a similar New Year’s Resolution as you and is able to follow the same plan as you. Having a friend with a similar goal would allow you both to keep track of each other’s progress and keep each other accountable (Harvard, 2015).
3. People are less likely to exercise when stressed-destress
It is not only important to keep a healthy body but also a healthy mind. Studies have shown that people are less likely to exercise on days that they perceive are stressful (Englert, 2016). Stress is unavoidable every day but it can be managed through meditation, breathing, time managing, or by talking to someone.
It is not only important to keep a healthy body but also a healthy mind. Studies have shown that people are less likely to exercise on days that they perceive are stressful (Englert, 2016). Stress is unavoidable every day but it can be managed through meditation, breathing, time managing, or by talking to someone.
4. Keep track of progress
Many times people may exercise and then give up when they don’t see any progress. It is important to keep track of your progress by having a set workout plan and keeping track of what workouts were done for the day. This would allow you to see your progress from a month ago that you would normally forget if it wasn’t written down. Knowing that progress has been made would help motivate you to continue your New Year’s Resolution.
Many times people may exercise and then give up when they don’t see any progress. It is important to keep track of your progress by having a set workout plan and keeping track of what workouts were done for the day. This would allow you to see your progress from a month ago that you would normally forget if it wasn’t written down. Knowing that progress has been made would help motivate you to continue your New Year’s Resolution.
5. Realistic Goals
It is important to set realistic goals for your New Year’s Resolution. Seeing an image of someone fit on social media and saying that you will accomplish that body in a couple months is most likely not realistic. The majority of the people we follow on social media for their “body goals” have worked hard for years to get to where they are. There are also many people that will lie about their bodies and progress in order to gain followers or money. Setting a New Year’s Resolution that is reasonable will allow you to accomplish those goals and therefore motivate you more.
It is important to set realistic goals for your New Year’s Resolution. Seeing an image of someone fit on social media and saying that you will accomplish that body in a couple months is most likely not realistic. The majority of the people we follow on social media for their “body goals” have worked hard for years to get to where they are. There are also many people that will lie about their bodies and progress in order to gain followers or money. Setting a New Year’s Resolution that is reasonable will allow you to accomplish those goals and therefore motivate you more.
Now that you have all the tools to be successful, it's time to plan out your routine and get started!
Remember that the only bad workout is the one that didn't happen.
References
Alexandra, S. (2014). Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Preparation and High Level Competitions in Artistic Gymnastics between 2001 and 2008 in Romania. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 117(C), 243-248.
Englert, & Rummel. (2016). I want to keep on exercising but I don’t: The negative impact of momentary lacks of self-control on exercise adherence. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 26, 24-31.
Marching orders: How to start a walking program. (2015). Harvard Health Publications. Harvard Heart Letter, Harvard Health Publications. Harvard Heart Letter, Nov 2015.
Just News Views. Body Transformation. justnewsviews.com/amazing-body-transformation-motivation-fat-to-fit-before-after-skinny-to-muscle-men-women/. Accessed 9 Nov. 2018.
