It’s that time of year again when everyone makes a New Year resolution to either lose weight, get in shape, start a new routine, eat better, and everything in between. Unfortunately for most of us, myself included, we fail to plan for how we are going to accomplish our new goal.
And we all know when we fail to plan, we plan to fail.
Hectic lives can make sticking to a workout program hard or simple shifts in routine or behavior can make reaching or maintaining your goal just as hard as starting from scratch.
So I’ve made a little list of things that you can do to help keep yourself on track and stick to your workout routine this new year.
Ready? Let’s Go!
Set Reasonable Goals
Most people set really high and unrealistic goals at the beginning of the year and that is one of their biggest downfalls and reasons why they quit before February even rolls around. You need to make sure that you are setting realistic expectations for you, such as: I will work out 3 days a week or I will start taking my own lunch to work instead of buying it every day.
Schedule it
Workouts need to be prioritized just like anything else or they are usually the first to be scrapped. Schedule sessions when you know you can dedicate at least 30-40 minutes of time and that make the most sense for you and your schedule.
If working out in the morning before work is your thing, then do it then. If not then maybe during a lunch break, during the kids naptime, or after work or dinner might be better for you. Just make sure you schedule the time and treat it as a non-negotiable conference with yourself.
Also, if you find that your current schedule doesn’t work for you then don’t be afraid to switch it up and try a different time. Experiment and find what works best.
Get the Gear
Ideally, workouts won’t require a lot of equipment especially if you’re going to the gym every day. However, if you’re working out at home you may need a few essentials like dumbbells and a yoga mat to get things started.
Cute workout gear is always a plus and always gets me motivated to work out – new tops, colorful leggings, and new shoes are always fun to find and wear.
Plan Ahead
If you work out at home, lay your clothes out the night before. If you work out at the gym, pack your gym bag the night before so you don’t have to scramble in the morning to find everything you need.
One thing I do to keep organized is hang all my workout clothes in outfits in the closet. As soon as they come out of the wash, a pair of leggings and a matching top go on the same hanger so when I’m ready to work out all I have to do is grab 1 hanger and the whole outfit is ready to go.
Workout With Friends
Everything is more fun with friends… especially workouts. I know for me, working out with a friend also makes me push a little harder because I see them working hard and it makes me want to work hard. Keeping a standing “date” with a friend also increases accountability so you don’t bail on your friend.
Sleep Well
Sleeping and fitness go hand in hand… you cannot have a great fitness routine without getting a good night’s sleep. Your body doesn’t perform at its best and you will not have the mental gusto to show up or continue your routine. Create a healthy sleep schedule and stick to a wake/sleep routine every day – even on the weekends.
Cut Yourself Some Slack
Aiming for perfection can work against you. If you miss a day, don’t get too down on yourself – just pick back up and get back at it tomorrow.
If you find yourself constantly making excuses for not wanting to do your workout, then maybe it’s time to reevaluate what type of work out you’re doing. Maybe you’re pushing yourself too hard and need to back off for a while or maybe you’re not going hard enough and need a little more intensity or variety to keep interested. Experiment and find what works for you.
There you have it… my top tips for how to stick to your workout routine.
