Keeping up with your New Year's resolutions can be a difficult task (especially regarding your health and fitness), but as fitness enthusiasts with the right mindset and tools, it is possible to stay on the path and follow through with it.
If you watched my previous fitness video (click HERE if you haven’t), I shared with you my little hack to get you motivated to start the ball rolling. But that’s just to get your fitness mindset engine started. STICKING to it after a few days, weeks or months is the hard part and why most people never follow through on their plans.
You need MOTIVATION.
Without motivation, even the best-laid plans can fall by the wayside or be forgotten in our busy lives.
So how do you stay motivated for your new year’s resolution?
The short answer: MOMENTUM
Momentum = progress, progress = momentum. When you’re progressing, it creates momentum which creates more progress. THAT is the cycle that keeps you motivated.
One way to create momentum is to set specific, measurable, and achievable goals.
For example, instead of saying you want to "exercise more," set a specific goal to "exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week."
By setting a clear and attainable goal, it becomes easier to track progress to stay motivated and create momentum.
Here are some examples of clear and attainable goals you could set for yourself:
- "I will walk or run for 30 minutes, three times a week." This goal is specific, measurable, and achievable. It also allows for flexibility, as you can decide to walk or run, depending on your level of fitness.
- "I will increase my strength by lifting weights twice a week for 30 minutes." This goal is specific in terms of the type of exercise, the frequency, and the duration. It also allows you to track your progress by increasing weight and repetition over time.
- "I will eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day." This goal is specific in terms of the type of food and the quantity. It also allows for flexibility regarding when and how you will eat fruits and vegetables since the only thing that matters is that you reach the goal set for that day.
It's important to remember that these are just examples and that your goals should be tailored to your own needs, fitness level, and preferences.
It's also important to have a plan on how to achieve these goals, such as scheduling a specific workout time, preparing healthy meals and snacks in advance, or having an accountability partner (which we will cover next).
Another way to stay motivated is to find an accountability partner.
This could be a friend, a family member, or a personal trainer who will support you and hold you accountable for your actions.
Having someone to share your progress with and who will encourage you when you're feeling down can be a huge motivator. Finding an accountability partner for your New Year's resolution can be done in a few ways:
- Join a gym or fitness class: Joining a gym or taking a fitness class is a great way to find an accountability partner. Not only will you have the opportunity to meet people with similar fitness goals, but you'll also have access to a trainer or instructor who can provide support and encouragement.
- Reach out to friends and family: Ask a friend or family member if they would be interested in working out together. Having someone you know and trust as an accountability partner can make it easier to stick to your goals.
- Join an online fitness community: There are many online communities and forums where people discuss fitness and wellness. Joining one of these communities can be a great way to find an accountability partner, as well as access to helpful resources and support. Most phones come with a fitness app pre-installed nowadays and those apps usually have a community functionality where you can invite your friends or just join a group that has an active community. It’s very simple to get started.
- Hire a personal trainer: Hiring a personal trainer can be a great way to find an accountability partner. Not only will they provide you with a customized workout plan, but they'll also be able to hold you accountable and provide support and encouragement. This is a little more involved and does require paying someone to keep you motivated and on track but being financially invested in something makes it more likely that you will follow through with it to the end.
When communicating with your accountability partner, it's important to be clear about your goals, what you expect from them, and how often you plan to check-in. It's also important to set up a system for tracking progress and holding each other accountable.
For example, you could set up a shared calendar where you both can schedule your workout times, or you can make regular check-ins with each other to discuss progress and challenges.
In general, it's important to make sure your accountability partner is someone you trust and feel comfortable talking to, and someone who is committed to your goals, as well as their own. It's also important to communicate frequently and openly and to be understanding and supportive of each other's progress and setbacks.
A third way to stay motivated is to invest in the right equipment.
As I explained in my previous video, investing in SOMETHING, ANYTHING fitness related such as a pair of Gloves (Like WODies by JerkFit), lifting straps like Death Grips, or a weight belt or knee sleeves can sometimes be the catalyst to get you excited to go to the gym and get use out of it. Also, these types of products can help protect you from sidelining injuries which can keep you out of the gym and destroy all of that precious momentum you worked so hard to build.
Make it happen!
LISTEN, staying on your New Years Resolutions is HARD. Its why most don’t ever succeed. If you want it bad enough, you need to give yourself the best opportunity to stay on task and focused. Laying out a gameplan with measurable goals, keeping yourself accountable and investing in your fitness, you can make this year the year you put your body and health first.
MAKE FITNESS YOUR FOUNDATION, AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL FALL INTO PLACE
Stay active, stay healthy,
Jeff Hunter
CEO JerkFit LLC