Motivational Fitness Tips to Last You Through the New Year

Source: Motivational Fitness Tips to Last You Through the New Year

It can be tough to stick with fitness goals as the season changes - especially when that season brings holiday parties, cold weather, and a handful of easy outs. Use these tips to stay motivated to take you straight into the New Year.

  • Be realistic: Having goals and being realistic about what they are can be two very different ideas. If you have a busy work schedule, don't commit yourself to workouts that will be impossible to get to. Set an exercise schedule, weight-loss plan, or diet plan that realistically aligns with your daily life. That way you won't be compromising other important areas in order to achieve these goals.

  • Jot it down: Writing workouts into your calendar will make you twice as likely to go because it holds you more accountable. You can look at class schedules in advance to find out when your favorite instructors are teaching and what times best coincide with your work schedule. Not only will you be able to plan ahead, but it will also give you a chance to look back on your progress and see how many times a week you broke a sweat.

  • Build a posse: Including friends in your fitness routine can help immensely when it comes to sticking with your goals. Being social through fitness avenues such as running clubs or yoga dates helps to associate workouts with fun. Seeing others meet their goals will also give you more incentive to tread on.


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  • Keep it seasonal: Just like produce, picking activities that are in season helps to give you a better palette for exercise. Choose indoor activities like yoga or indoor cycling that will prevent you from getting bummed that you can't run outside because of the weather. The more perfect a workout is for the season, the better suited for you.

  • Tweet about it: Studies show that women who use social media to show off hard work and dedication are more likely to keep it up. The positive encouragement from your peers is similar to that of a trainer: kudos for something specific, such as making a healthy meal and posting a picture of it, or checking in at a boot camp on Foursquare or Facebook.

  • Mix it up: Variety is key in making yourself work harder. The reason people always do well in the beginning stages of a new routine or diet is often because of the newness of it all. To keep your workout and plate feeling refreshed, change it up from time to time. You may be a member at a yoga studio, but that doesn't mean you can't ride a bike on off days. Mixing it up will combat boredom and keep you energized throughout the journey.

  • Visualize the end goal: Remember why you made these goals in the first place. Diets and exercise plans can get mundane halfway through, so keep your eye on the prize. If you're visual, change your desktop screen to a fit celebrity you admire. This will remind you why you made the healthy change in the first place and shine some light at the end of the tunnel.



Related Content:
How to Give Your Thanksgiving Plate a Healthy Makeover
Day-After Detox: How to Get Back on Track After Thanksgiving
Which Is Harder: Eating Healthy or Working Out During the Holidays?



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