The decision to exercise more is the most popular New Year’s resolution for 2020. That means gyms across the country and around the globe are seeing spikes in attendance. However, typically, that spike in gym attendance returns to normal just a few weeks after Jan. 1.
If you’ve ever made a New Year’s resolution, you know sticking to it can be difficult, but that doesn’t mean you should give up this year. Resolving to become more physically fit in 2020 can provide numerous benefits for your physical and mental health, and it has the ability to make this year the best one yet.
The simple yet effective tips below could help you stay motivated to exercise, eat healthy, and achieve your fitness goals.
The Benefits of Working Out
Understanding the countless benefits of physical exercise can keep you motivated to reach your 2020 fitness goals. You’re probably aware that working out can improve your physical appearance and strength, but the many other ways that exercise could enrich your life may make you more hesitant to stop your workout routine.
The following are just a few of the plentiful benefits exercise can have on your physical and mental health:
Physical exercise combats a variety of diseases and other conditions — including high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke, numerous types of cancer, and more.
- Regular exercise can boost your endurance, muscle strength, and overall energy.
- Consistent exercise may improve your confidence and energy levels, ultimately enhancing your sex life.
- Physical exercise activates brain chemicals that could make you feel less anxious, more relaxed, and happier.
Keeping Your Fitness Resolution
- Give your fitness goals meaning. You need inspiration to complete your fitness goals, and without a solid understanding of why you’ve created your fitness resolution, you’re more likely to lose interest. Maybe you want to have more energy to play with your kids, or would like to wake up with more energy to conquer your day. Write the meaning behind your goal, so you’re working toward your meaning, not just a number on the scale.
- Don’t rush into it. Many times, we dive back into workouts thinking we can do the same exercises we did when we were younger. That’s rarely the case, and your fitness resolution will be easier to achieve if you work toward it gradually. Creating unrealistic fitness goals for your first days of exercise will make you frustrated and much more likely to quit. Start with goals that are easy to achieve, build your confidence, and move up from there.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s so easy to get mad at ourselves when we do something that counteracts our fitness goals, such as overindulging one weekend or skipping a few days of exercise. Small mishaps don’t mean it’s time to throw your entire resolution out the window. Reflect on why you “fell off the wagon,” learn from your experiences, and use them to fuel your success.
- Make your resolution public. You’ve probably seen your Facebook friends post about their workout successes. Regardless of whether these posts bore you or not, they’re extremely beneficial for the person posting them. Making your resolution known to those around you holds you more accountable for keeping it. While you don’t necessarily need to post your resolution or workouts on Facebook, you should at least tell your closest friends and family, and encourage them to hold you accountable.
- Use small goals to reach your big one. It’s hard to stay motivated when your end goal seems so lofty and far away. That’s why it pays to include smaller milestones along the journey. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon by the end of 2020, conquer a 5K, then a 10K, and so on, first. These smaller goals are less intimidating and completing them will likely keep you motivated.
- Let the professionals help. The task of continuing and accomplishing your 2020 fitness resolution is one that can seem impossible by yourself. Fortunately, the moments when you’re sure you want to give up are exactly when a personal trainer can keep you moving. Your trainer will hold you accountable for showing up to exercise as well as eating healthy when he or she is not present. The extra push from a professional can be the difference between reaching your goal and letting it slip away.
There’s no doubt that achieving your fitness goals will be a battle, but it’s a fight that can benefit you mentally and physically. Use the tips above to keep your resolution on track, and ultimately, attain your fitness goal. An investment in your fitness and overall health in 2020 is one you’ll never regret.
Author Bio: Lydia Fowler is a professional trainer at Elite Training San Diego, a locally owned and operated company that provides personal training services through a team of highly specialized fitness professionals. Wisan has four-plus years of experience in the industry and focuses on helping clients achieve their fitness goals.