Fitness expert Olly Thompson will help you maintain your exercise routine.
It’s exciting to embark on a fitness journey in January, but the initial enthusiasm can wane as February approaches. In this month’s article, we’ll explore practical strategies for staying motivated in your fitness routine.
Setting realistic goals in January is key to staying motivated for fitness in February and beyond. Within these goals, set small, achievable milestones that you can keep working towards without overdoing yourself. This can be adherence-based, such as a goal of 20 workouts by February, or more performance-based, such as a weight change goal or lifting a certain weight by the end of the month.
Consistency is key in any fitness endeavor. Establish a routine that blends smoothly into your daily life. This may include a combination of cardio and strength training, yoga, hiking, sports, etc.
Having fun and making fitness a regular part of your schedule will help you develop a habit. If you’re getting a little tired of your current exercise routine, consider trying a different activity to keep things interesting.
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In fact, finding a workout buddy or joining a fitness community or local sports club might be great for you. Social support is a powerful motivator. Having someone to share their accomplishments and challenges with, whether it’s friends, family, or your online girlfriend community, will greatly strengthen your resolve to keep going.
Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Recognize and reward yourself for the milestones you hit along the way.
Additionally, tracking your progress through a fitness journal or app provides a visual representation of your accomplishments, which can be a great motivator to keep moving forward.
What I do with some of my clients who own Apple Watches is connect their Apple Activity apps together to create some friendly competition and compliance. Perhaps you can do the same with your friends and family.
Finally, listen to your body and prioritize rest. Over-training and under-recovering can lead to fatigue and burnout, which can then significantly reduce motivation. Proper rest and recovery is an essential, but often overlooked, component of a sustainable fitness routine.
Get plenty of quality sleep, properly nourish yourself with nutritious whole foods, stay hydrated, and avoid going to the gym if you’re in a lot of pain, exhausted, or unwell. Sho.
If you’re feeling a little tired but really don’t want to break your continuous streak record, we recommend adjusting your exercise sessions to boost energy, aid recovery, and feel better. I’ll show you how. .
1 Reduce the load you are using by 30% and increase your rest time.
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2 Focus on more stable gym exercises that don’t require much coordination or balance.
3. Avoid high-intensity lifting or cardio and instead keep it low or moderate.
As February begins, remember that staying motivated is an ongoing process. Set realistic goals with small milestones, celebrate those small victories, and follow a routine that fits your lifestyle.
To a healthier and happier you!
Olly specializes in helping career-focused professionals get in shape, build long-term health, and perform better at work. Ollie works in Cambridge and London and provides both face-to-face and virtual personal training. For more information, visit www.welltolead.com and follow her Ollie on Instagram @olliethompsonhealth.