Right around this time last month, you may have resolved to start a new workout routine that would lead you to a healthier lifestyle. The confetti was swept away, the party hats stashed until next year, leaving you to face the challenge of your resolution. We hope you’ve had a full month of exercise, and hopefully, some fun to go along with it. If not, we have some tips to get you back on track.
In our New Year’s Resolution post, we encouraged you to:
- Create an achievable goal, mainly by setting smaller, measurable milestones to reach before your final target
- Have a strong support system in place to encourage you
- Focus on altering daily habits
- Give yourself adequate time to achieve your goal
We encourage you to continue relying on these tips as you continue pursuing your resolution. Here are some small ways to strengthen your motivation in the coming weeks:
Put it in writing
It can be challenging to make working out your priority. Just as you schedule important meetings and obligations throughout the day, make fitness a calendar-worthy appointment too. Put your workouts into your Outlook/Exchange calendar, set it on your phone or get a small monthly tear-away calendar. Plan out your workouts for the week and cross them off as you go. Not only will seeing the appointment spur you to action, but you’ll have a record of the work you’ve done at the end of the month.
Organize a group
Staying true to your workout routine can be easier when you feel a social obligation to follow through. You can organize a running group through work, or get friends and family to commit to a certain workout class each week. Not only will you be less likely to stand up your workout buddy, but you’ll be able to share the excitement of getting fit together. Consider signing up for a marathon or triathlon with a group from work. Exercising can help you bond outside of the office, while working towards a common goal.
Do something unexpected
Tired of hitting the treadmill day after day? Why not spice things up and try something you never have before. Go salsa dancing, try indoor swimming, or spend an afternoon playing ultimate Frisbee. No one ever said working out had to be monotonous and boring. Approach fitness with a sense of spontaneity and fun. If you’ve always been curious about yoga and think you might want to try it, check out local listings for yoga studios. Many have free weeks or tip-style payment for those who want to test it out. Are you a runner? Find a funky 5K. Many cities are now hosting zombie runs, where you get to dodge the undead while sweating to the finish line.
Use technology
When it comes to various aspects of fitness, Apple may have said it best: there’s an app for that. There are so many apps for phones, online forums and websites that can aid you in your quest for fitness. Try out MapMyRun.com, which helps you track the distance and elevation of your runs. Turn your iPhone into a pedometer with the app iTreadmill. Looking for healthy recipes? Check out the app Eating Well: Healthy in a Hurry if you’re busy and feeling uninspired.
Good luck with month two of your resolutions. What are some ways you jump-start your motivation when don’t feel like working out?