5 Hacks for Achieving Your New Year's Fitness Goals

How to reach your health goals

It’s that time of the year again to create some New Year’s resolutions around health and fitness. But, if you’re like most people, you probably find it challenging to stick to your fitness goals once spring arrives. Need some motivation and advice? Here are five hacks for (actually) achieving your New Year’s fitness goals:

1. Create realistic goals

When creating your fitness goals for the new year, you should ensure they are realistic and achievable — if needed, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. For instance, if you plan to run a 5K, what are more digestible mini-goals that’ll help you achieve this bigger goal? It’s also important that you’re able to measure your goals — how many minutes or miles a week do you want to run for? Once you’ve created your fitness goals, reflect on how ready you feel to work towards them. Ask yourself: how likely are you to stick with a diet and exercise program once you begin? What are the barriers? What strengths can you draw on?

2. Develop a plan

Once you’ve assessed your readiness, the next step is to create a plan. Identify when you’ll exercise, what type of exercise you’ll do, and how much time you’ll spend exercising. You should try to exercise at least three to five times a week for thirty minutes each time to reap all the benefits.

3. Find an exercise buddy

Maybe one of your friends has also resolved to start exercising in the new year. If so, you should begin your fitness journey together. Find an exercise that both of you enjoy doing, and then schedule a few times each week to work out together. This will increase your chances of sticking with your goals because you’ll be able to hold each other accountable and support one another.

4. Start slow

Think of your goals as a lifelong commitment to a healthier lifestyle. This means that you shouldn’t overdo it in the beginning. Start slow with low-to-moderate intensity workouts and build up to more intense ones as you gain strength and stamina.

5. Adjust goals as needed

As you work toward your goals, make sure you reflect on progress and adjust goals as needed, such as changing your strategies or plan. This can help keep you motivated and stay on track. Even if you didn’t achieve your goal all the way, reward yourself for partial achievements!

You can do it!

Achieving your New Year’s fitness goals is a journey that requires a mix of realism, planning, support, and self-compassion. By setting realistic and measurable goals, creating a tailored exercise plan, finding a workout buddy, starting slow, and being flexible with your objectives, you’re laying a solid foundation for success. Celebrate each milestone, no matter how small, and if you stumble, forgive yourself and get back on track. Your fitness journey is unique to you, and with determination and the right approach, you can make this year your healthiest yet.