How to stick to your goals

Are you struggling to keep your New Year’s Eve celebration alive? Fitness system? Three fitness experts were asked to share their top tips for sticking to your workouts.

Abigail Roberts MD Sports Nutritionist Bulk.com

Set SMART goals:

Your fitness goals should be specific and achievable. This will make it more difficult to stick with them over time. You should organize your fitness goals in SMART terms. Make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable and realistic.

This means that you should set aside certain times each week for training, and you should know which exercises you would like to do in any given workout. Be realistic about the time and effort you can put in. It is better to go to the gym once per week for a year than to go every day for a month, then stop altogether.

Write down your fitness goals and break them down into smaller goals. Then, write down the actions needed to reach those goals. The secret to success is often to take a step back and think about the daily habits that are necessary to achieve your desired result. It is the difference between making progress and planning for it.

Change one thing at once:

Do not eat too much at once, or change your lifestyle. Instead of committing yourself to eating clean, getting more rest, and exercising more often, you should focus on improving one aspect of your overall health.

You can improve other aspects of health by making regular exercise a habit. You may find yourself gravitating towards healthy food choices after regular exercise becomes a part of your daily routine.

Stack your dreams:

Combining exercise with something you already have in mind is a great way of slipping exercise into your busy schedule. Instead of driving or taking a bus, you might consider walking or biking there.

You can make calls to friends and family by taking a hike, or running on the treadmill.

Do more of what you love:

You don’t have to limit what you see as fitness at the gym. You can reflect on the past year and take back the things you love. You can play soccer with your friends every week, or with your children. You’ll be more likely long-term to stick with your exercise routine if it feels natural and less like a chore.

Find an accountability group or partner:

It can be easier to make friends with a gym buddy if you are new to the sport or have been lifting weights for a while. A partner can provide extra motivation for days when you don’t feel like exercising.

Many gyms also offer beginner classes. This is where you will meet other gym-goers with similar experience to you. This can make it easier to get into the gym and less intimidating.

Don’t let toxic diets and fitness culture fool you.:

Avoid advice to cut out certain food groups, detox after Christmas, or engage in unrealistic fitness challenges. You can choose the goals that you want to reach and you can create your daily habits and actions according to your schedule and personal needs.

Jeremiah Daniel, cofounder of The Adventure Company Moonlight review

Refer a friend

Find a friend or accountability partner to help you get through your workouts. Not only will it make your workouts more enjoyable, but it can also help you stay motivated and accountable. It’s hard to fall asleep on your morning run if you know someone is counting you on to show up.

Enjoy:

Make your workouts enjoyable. It’s only a matter time before you start to dread your workouts. You should find activities you love, whether it be dancing, hiking, or weightlifting. You will be more likely to stick with your fitness program if you choose the exercises that you enjoy.

Make it real

Don’t be too hard on yourself. It is important that you have realistic expectations. Also, remember that progress takes some time. Do not worry if you experience a setback or miss a session. Focus on moving forward and getting back on track.

Always stay on the right track

Use a fitness tracker device or app to keep track of your progress. Your progress can be motivating to keep going.

Be calm with yourself.

Do not be hard on yourself if you take a day off or miss a session. Instead, you should be focused on getting back on schedule and remaining consistent over the long term.

Give yourself a gift each day:

You can set up rewards for yourself when you reach milestones and goals. This can be a great way for you to motivate yourself and celebrate your achievements.

plan, plan, plan:

Do not rely solely on your willpower. It’s easier to stick with your fitness program if you plan your workouts in advance.

This is how you do it:

Do not compare yourself with others. You should be focusing on your progress, not what others are doing.