MOHAMMED AMEENUDDIN
When a new year rolls in, 9 out of 10 new year’s resolutions will have “fitness” in them. It may be losing weight, getting more fit, hitting a specific weight goal… the list goes on. But should fitness be added as a resolution every year or should it be a daily part of our lives just like all other chores and tasks?
New Year’s resolutions are notorious for having fitness goals included, but within the first quarter of the year, it’s common to hear people falling off the course and giving up. Why does this happen?
From what I’ve noticed, many people take their health for granted and focus more on other goals and resolutions. Even though some people say health is a priority, they don’t put the necessary time into maintaining it.
While we strive to improve in other aspects of our lives, I believe that we should make our health our number one priority over other goals and resolutions.
Why are fitness resolutions short lived?
In the world of instant noodles, we try to find instant results for our fitness goals. Gaining weight does not happen overnight and likewise, losing it cannot be just as fast.
Following a fad diet starting January 1st can be difficult to maintain and may lead to giving up on a yearlong self-promise to stay active and fit. Some of us develop high expectations without thinking through what will be required on a daily basis and our actual capacity to do what is necessary to meet our expectations. Another reason for short-lived new year’s resolutions is making them too general. SMART goals or resolutions can help us achieve better results. SMART is an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
How to stick to your fitness resolutions all year long?
First, try to keep in mind that staying active and healthy is the best way to enjoy all areas of life. Health is wealth! Our body is designed to move and be in action.
Here are a few tips that have helped me keep to my fitness resolutions and may help you too.
- Set small initial targets. Hitting a target can give us motivation to continue.
- Make sure to include rest days in your plan.
- It’s not about falling off track, it’s how quickly you get back on. Not all our days go according to plan, and that’s ok. Get back on track as soon as you can.
- Make a plan that works best for you and doesn’t clash with your other commitments. Not a morning person? Maybe 5am workouts aren’t your best bet.
- Track your progress so that you become accountable.
- Plan fitness in advance and for the whole week so that you can play your days around it.
The final factor to consider is patience. Physical changes will not appear overnight. Commitment and consistency will lead to effective results and once you see the results, it is more likely to become part of your life.
Happy new year and I hope we all can be very active in 2023 and keep our fitness resolutions a priority.
