At the end of each year, many of us set aside some time to think about what our New Year’s resolutions will be; and with each new year, a lot of us find ourselves having trouble sticking to those resolutions. The most common New Year’s resolutions often include those intended to improve one’s health. Whether it be to drink less, to exercise more, to eat healthier, or get more sleep, many of us desire a healthier lifestyle in the coming year. While sometimes we manage to stick to our resolutions for at least a little while, many of us have trouble maintaining those resolutions for longer than a month, maybe two. Well there is good news, we are going to give you some tricks and tips to help you maintain those fitness resolutions you made for 2019.

1. Make sure your resolutions are attainable
   It’s important to be realistic about your goals. Be honest with yourself before-hand when you are deciding on your resolutions. If you aren’t setting a resolution that is realistic for you according to your life, schedule, career, social life, bodily limits, etc., then you will only find yourself frustrated and wanting to quit along the way. 

2. Set short, timely goals
   The best way to make your resolution a reality is by setting shorting and timely goals along the way. These smaller progress goals will help you in feeling like you are making progress. They will help keep you motivated and aware that you are in fact taking steps in the right direction. If you are able to achieve the small wins along the way, then completing your goal to the end won’t seem so difficult. For example, if your resolution is to exercise more this year, then first start small. Set a goal to work out 2 – 3 times a week for a month, then take on the next month as it comes. 

3. Get a friend on board
   Staying active is always easier with a workout partner who is there to help you keep motivated and vice versa. Studies have shown that people who work out with a partner have better chances of staying motivated and reaching their goals.

4. Invest in your goal
   An investment in your fitness goal doesn’t have to be crazy, but simply accommodating to your goal and helping you reach it. A great investment for your resolution is signing up for a gym membership or buying some great workout clothes that make you feel and look great and encourage you to get into the gym.

5. Try group fitness classes
   Group fitness classes are a great way to meet your fitness goals. They provide you with different and fun options for exercising as well as all the motivation you could need. Pick a class that fits with your schedule and fitness goals and you are sure to stay on track in 2019. Here at Fitness Nation, we have a multitude of different classes to choose from that will be sure to help keep you excited about working out this year. 

6. Add some fun workouts to your routine, and change it up
   Change up your workouts so they don’t get old or boring. It is also important to change up your workouts in order to target different muscle groups and beat the “idle” phase of fat-burning that can occur when you don’t switch up your routine. If you are tired of the same old, try out a new fitness class or even try taking your family on a hike once a week to get a change of scenery.

7. Try journaling
   Journaling is great for diet and fitness goals. Keep tabs on yourself and write down what you want to achieve, what you have already achieved, and how you feel about it all. You will be happy to have the option to look back at your fitness journey later on.

8. Take progress photos
   Often we aren’t able to notice the small changes in our bodies when we are on our fitness journey and it can be discouraging. Taking progress photos often leads to visibility in our progress that we might have not noticed otherwise. Seeing these small changes and successes will help keep you motivated to keep up with your 2019 fitness resolutions.

Following these tips and tricks will be sure to help you stay on track this year with your fitness resolutions, and if you need some help, that’s what we are here for. Fitness Nation is a 24-hour fitness center in Bedford and we have a motivated team of fitness experts that will be happy to answer your questions. Call us or come by today.