Keeping your New Year’s fitness goals

The New Year is an opportunity for fresh starts and setting new goals. Improving fitness levels continues to be one of the most popular resolutions, yet it’s also one of the most difficult for a majority of individuals to maintain.

“Research indicates that more than two-thirds of people who set fitness goals at the beginning of the year give up within two months,” says Lori Irvine, Organization and Employee Development Coordinator at The Scarborough Hospital. “However, by following some key steps, you can dramatically improve your odds of sticking to your goals.”

Lori offers the following tips when setting a New Year’s fitness plan:

• Set realistic fitness goals – Ensure you speak with your physician before beginning any fitness regimen and make an appointment with a personal trainer who can help you break your overall goals into smaller, reachable targets.
• Write down your fitness goals – Simply writing down your short-term and long-term goals and the steps involved in meeting them can increase your motivation and reduce the chance of giving up. 
• Tell your family and friends – Verbalizing your fitness plan and letting others know about it can help you feel more accountable to your goals.
• Prioritize and schedule regular exercise – You’ll be more likely to stick to your fitness routine if it’s scheduled into your calendar like any other commitment.
• Choose a gym or fitness routine that is close to your home or accessible during your commute to and from work – A convenient location means you’ll be less likely to skip your fitness routine due to factors such as bad weather, traffic, etc.
• Don’t try to be perfect! – Whether it’s missing a couple of workouts or giving in to a treat, don’t beat yourself up over the occasional slip.
• Reward yourself – Whenever you achieve or complete a part of your fitness plan, reward yourself! Buy something you’ve wanted for a while, go for a spa treatment, etc. Do whatever makes you feel good about all your hard work – you deserve it!

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