It’s over two months into a new year and you’ve been keeping to your resolution. You may be aiming to be the queen of the gym this year, and we’ve got some tips to make sure you keep that crown. Gyms and fitness centers welcome 10.8 percent of memberships in January, according to a survey of 6,400 fitness centers around the country. But although the number of people who enter the building the first week of January all have good intentions, the numbers decline and dwindle by the third week, but that won’t be you. Follow these five tips and keep your new exercise regime going into March and beyond and finally stick to your resolutions.
Set Small Goals
Making grand resolutions can become overwhelming and won’t supply the rewards that inspire you to keep going. Experts instead recommend setting small, attainable goals throughout the year that combined help you reach the true, larger goal. For example, instead of resolving to lose 25 pounds in 2020, break the year up into smaller goals, such as “go to the gym at least three times a week.” Once you hit that resolution, you can advance into the following month and slightly bigger goals. Science shows it takes 66 days for something to become a habit, so set your mind to make it past March.
Work With a Coach
If you’re really struggling with keeping to a routine, working with a personal trainer could be the push you need. Having someone to meet and hold you accountable is the key to success, such as a manager making sure you’re on track at work. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Teddi Mellencamp is an example of an accountability coach who does just that! Even partnering with a friend to keep each other on track could help—buddy up!
Reward Yourself
We all do better when we get rewards for our hard work. No one is going to give us a bonus when we meet a personal fitness goal, so treat yourself. Promise yourself a new outfit when you drop a size or allow yourself a splurge dessert the week you make it to the gym every day.
Start Early
Think it’s easier to hit the gym in the afternoon or after work? It may be… until a meeting runs long, the kids need to work on a science project they forgot was due, friends text about an impromptu happy hour or a traffic jam keeps you stuck. There are no distractions or excuses when you set an alarm and make the morning “you” time. As the old adage goes, “the early bird catches the worm”—even if it sucks to wake up to darkness.
Bounce Back
You’ve made it through bad breakups, midnight feedings and impossible work deadlines. None were fun and all may have caused meltdowns, but you did it. The same goes with resolutions. Make the commitment to work out and don’t quit just because you didn’t do exactly what you wanted to do or weight isn’t coming off as quickly as you hoped. Keep going until one day it won’t feel like such a struggle to do—you’ll make it through.
