It is a new year and a new opportunity to grow and work toward goals. Many people start the year traditionally full of hope with big New Year’s resolutions and various goals. Fitness goals are often among people’s top New Year’s resolutions.
However, it will also soon be the official “Quitter’s Day” for New Year’s resolutions, which is the second Friday in February according to Fortune Magazine’s website. About ninety percent of people who start a New Year’s resolution end up quitting in early February.
So, how does one stay motivated, on track, and achieve their fitness goals?
“It has to be a priority,” says David Turner, Personal Training Manager at Club 4 Fitness in Flowood. “If it is a goal, and you want to accomplish it, it must be a priority. You have to make the time for it.”
For those who are feeling discouraged and ready to throw in the towel, Turner says, “My best advice for sticking to goals is having that internal motivation for them to remember why they started the journey. It’s better to get in shape and healthy now so you don’t have to deal with the consequences later.”
According to Turner, discipline is very important in pursuing goals, but the power of people’s motivations is also important. People mistake motivation as just a fleeting emotion. But the successful know that you create your own motivation through strong enough reasons and desires for your goals. And that motivation helps power your discipline.
One way to build motivation, according to Turner, is to get a fit assessment with a trainer, so you know your numbers of your weight and body mass index, and then you can have a more clear goal to work towards. “That is usually the big eye opener for people to motivate them to get into shape.”
“Another motivating factor is seeing results,” says Turner. “Seeing results after a few weeks of diet and exercise will motivate people to keep going because they know they can do it now.” The time it takes to see results can vary for everyone. So, it is important to stay not only motivated, but patient and consistent too.
The benefits of exercise aren’t just physical. “There are many mental health benefits to fitness too,” says Turner. “Benefits like clearer thinking, sharpens the mind, better mood, gives you more energy, you sleep better, and better memory.”
Fitness is important for the whole family. It’s not only possible to work on your fitness goals with a busy family, it should be a priority.
“Having kids see the parents work out, prepare healthy meals, and be disciplined, is so important and sets a great example for the kids,” says Turner. “Having a family that makes health and fitness a priority helps develop good habits at an early age, creates good health, creates discipline, and exercise is a great bonding time for families.”
How do motivated individuals stay focused and build that discipline? “Make it part of your schedule,” says Jamie Douglas, Regional Personal Training Manager for Club 4. “Write it in your planner, calendar on the fridge, put a note in the phone. Just like you would for practice or appointments.” It has to be a planned weekly activity to become a habit and to get done.
An investment in a gym, and then an investment in a personal trainer, are some of the best steps in staying committed to your fitness goals.
Benefits of having a trainer? “Time, form, and knowledge,” says Douglas, “Trainers have degrees in exercise science, certifications, and experience in the field. We know what works, what doesn’t, and we can help you figure out what is best for you based on your goals. Why waste time walking around the gym trying to figure it out when we can design the perfect program for you.”
So, to achieve your fitness goals, it should be a priority, you should have strong reasons and desires to be healthy and fit and remember why you started, have a routine and a plan, get in the gym, work with a trainer or workout partner, be disciplined, and then become more intentional about those goals every day.
To make a change and make it last, it needs to be a lifestyle. “To make it a lifestyle, you have to develop a routine that fits your personal schedule,” says Turner. “You should work on becoming healthy and fit any time of year because it is an investment in yourself, and you will thank yourself years later down the road. It creates a much better life.”
Don’t join the quitters on National Quitters Day. Keep Going! No matter time of year, you can achieve your goals with good motivation, discipline, and consistent work. You can do it!