There’s something magical about the beginning of the year. No matter what has happened or what we have gone through, it feels like our chance for a fresh start. We pop champagne at midnight and then, the next morning, we begin setting our “resolutions” for the brand-new year ahead.
Twenty-nine percent of Americans say the make New Year’s Resolutions. Can you guess what the most common resolution is? Exercise more! Among those making resolutions, nearly 20% vow to get in better shape, while 18% want to lose weight, and 12% want to eat a healthier diet.
But the sad truth is, within two weeks many of us have already given up on our goals. Why is that? It’s not that you CAN’T achieve the goals you set, it’s just that you might not be stepping into them with the right mindset and tools. So, if you are finally ready to flip the script and become a part of the elite 8% who accomplish their New Year’s goals by the end of the year… here are a few ways to get in shape with your 2022 resolutions!
Get SMART!
When setting your fitness goals, it’s important that you put them to the “SMART” test.
S – Are they specific? Get super clear and focused about what you want to achieve. If you don’t, it will be hard to feel excited about your goal. Being too vague can make you feel lost instead of inspired. “Exercise more” or “get in shape” are vague goals. The best New Year’s Resolutions are those that are clearly defined. “Go to the gym 3 times a week” is much more specific.
M – Are they easily measurable? If your goal is to “eat better,” you must define what eating better means to you. “I want to eat five servings of veggies every day and cut out dairy,” gives you a real, measurable goal to work towards each day.
A – Are they attainable? It’s great to be ambitious with your goal. But if you’re expecting yourself to run a triathlon next month, when you’ve never even laced up your running shoes… you might need to step back and re-evaluate your goals. Look… we aren’t saying you can’t run a triathlon. Because you are MORE THAN CAPABLE. But you have to start at the beginning by setting smaller, actionable goals to build up to that level. Start by running one mile (a specific and measurable goal), and work your way up. This will help keep you from getting discouraged and gives you tiny victories to celebrate along the way.
R – and realistic? While writing down your list of fitness goals, it’s important that you look at your current life commitments. Chances are, going to the gym 3 hours a day, 7 times a week might not be realistic if you’re a mom of three who works a full-time job and takes her kids to soccer a couple times a week. The point isn’t to burn yourself out. The point is to feel happy and proud of yourself. While it’s good to push yourself a little, make sure that you aren’t setting your sights too high.
T – Can you accomplish them in a timely manner? Set deadlines for yourself. Setting an “end date” for your goals gives you a sense of urgency and additional accountability. “Someday” isn’t as inspiring as knowing you signed up for that 5K Obstacle Race at the end of June and you have exactly 3 months to prepare.
Visualize!
When setting goals, it’s important to think and speak about them as if you’ve already achieved them. Take time daily to meditate on WHY you’d like to make this resolution a priority and HOW you’ll feel when you reach your goal. Feel open to sharing your 2022 resolutions with your friends and family.
For a little extra motivation, you can also create something like a Vision Board. A Vision Board translates your goals into pictures and gives you something physical to look at daily to keep that “New Year excitement” fresh in your mind. There are tons of resources online for how to create your own Vision Board. Here is a link to one resource on “How To Create An Empowering Vision Board.”
Progress Over Perfection
Sometimes, it can be frustrating when we aren’t reaching our goals as fast as we think we “should.” We start to let the negative thoughts in and can become our own worst critic. To help prevent this, instead of putting pressure on yourself to be perfect when working towards your goals, choose to focus on progress. The great thing about progress is that it comes in all shapes and forms. Rather than only focusing on the number on the scale, you could focus on the way your clothes are fitting, your increasing stamina and endurance, or maybe that new PR you reached at the gym!
Find Your Support System
Having a good support system is crucial in achieving your New Year’s resolutions. If you are around people who tell you that your dreams are “too far fetched” or who encourage you to do things that keep you from staying on track, it’ll be easy to become part of the 80% that never reach their final goal.
One amazing form of support can be your Personal Trainer. Not only will they help you stay accountable and push you out of your comfort zone, they have also been where you are right now. Everyone starts as a beginner! But your Personal Trainer has seen first-hand what it’s like to achieve a goal and can show you how they pushed through their own challenges to get where they are today.
Now that you have some of our top strategies for becoming a Resolution Crushing Rockstar, we encourage you to share your 2022 resolutions with us on our Facebook page or on Instagram! And, if you are in the West Palm Beach area and are looking for the perfect Personal Trainer to add to your support system, give us a call! We’d love to have the opportunity to support you on your fitness journey to a happier, healthier life.
