Staying on Track
Luke Newton suggests ways of not just improving your fitness in the new year but staying motivated all year.
Christmas and the New Year is a time for reflection, and many people choose to set New Year’s resolutions – with varying degrees of success. Across the country, the surge of new gym memberships inevitably leads to non-active members later in the year – as people lose willpower, or find they don’t have enough time to work out.
We all know regular exercise is of huge benefit to our mental and physical wellbeing. But how can people get into the habit of exercising regularly without giving up before the end of January? Here are my top tips to being, and staying more active.
- Be kind to yourself. Set realistic goals and celebrate your successes.
- Keep it fresh. Ensure your training regime is enjoyable by mixing things up. Try new activities, workout with friends, and attend classes where you’ll find motivation by training with like-minded people.
- Workout first thing. Before the day gets away from you, go for that run or do the home HIIT workout. It might be hard initially getting out of bed, but you’ll feel great all day for the effort you put in. A great tip for getting out of bed – set your alarm and put it out of reach!
- “When you decide to do something, remind yourself that it is commitment not motivation that matters” says Steve Peters, author of The Chimp Paradox. When setting your goal, it is important to create a plan and structure that helps you stay committed.
- I have found that clients often benefit from booking their personal training appointments, or a place in a class, well in advance. In effect, they don’t need to find the willpower as they are already committed to turning up.
Luke Newton is Founder and Director of SWEAT Fitness Southsea.
Posted in: Articles, Health & Fitness
