Have your fitness resolutions fallen by the wayside? You’re not alone.
January often just brings with it a lot of pressure from the festivities. This is not the best combination for maximum fitness.
So don’t worry if January didn’t start out the way you intended. February might be the right time.
“January always brings with it the stress and pressure of making dramatic lifestyle changes,” says Anthony Mayatt, owner of Breeze Fitness. “By February, the festive season is a thing of the past and fatigue tends to be less as we approach the last month of winter.”
Susie Reading, psychologist and author of Sit To Get Fit, agrees: I think they just want to hibernate in January, and after a certain period of cocooning, they’ll be able to move around a little bit in February.
“Signs of spring help us too. It feels like the snowdrops are nodding in encouragement, and the daffodils definitely give us a boost. I can feel the heaviness starting to ease. ”
Finances also look a little brighter. January is generally low on funds due to Christmas expenses. Now that we’re in February and (finally) hit our first payday since the festival, if you’ve been wanting to try a new class or hit the gym, that becomes a more realistic goal.
And you can still get great deals. “Since the pandemic, the healthcare industry has suffered,” Mayat points out. “So contracts tend to extend beyond January to get more people into the facility and allow PTs to get more customers.”
As we enter the second month of the new year, everything seems to be getting a little better, says fitness expert Laura Williams. “We wake up on January 1st and think we should do something, anything, to show our motivation on the first day of the year. There’s nothing more fun than training for something.”
Mayatt agrees. “As a PT, February and March are usually the months when my job gets really busy with new clients. Vacations are booked in, weddings are being planned… and people are busy with the end of winter. I know this. I feel brighter in the morning and more motivated to take action.”
So if you found your fitness failing in January, what’s the best way to get back on track in February?
think ahead
“Look at this year as a whole,” Williams suggests. What’s around the corner? What does “maybe” mean? What’s fun? When and where might you need extra strength or energy? Think about how your current and future fitness routine will benefit the plans you have already made. ”
start small
Jack Phillips, global content director at Les Mills, says focusing on gradual, incremental change is the way forward. “One of the common mistakes people make is going too hard and too fast with a new exercise routine. Jumping headlong into an intense workout can leave you feeling miserable during the workout and sore afterwards. feel and may not want to repeat the experience.”
What and who can help you?
“Think about your resources: time, money, friends, family. What do you need to get where you want to go?” Williams continues. “Before you create your fitness wishlist, think about how much you can afford, especially in terms of time and money.” Even better if you can make friends with friends, colleagues, and family.
Set goals, big or small.
Ask yourself what you want to accomplish and what you’ll settle for, Williams says. “I recommend having both ‘dream goals’ and ‘sticky goals’. It’s not about being a defeatist, it’s about having achievable options when fatigue and discouragement set in. is.”
focus on the short term
“Focusing on short-term rewards will make it easier to incorporate new activities into your daily life,” adds Phillips. “It could be enjoying some ‘me time,’ learning a new skill, the social aspect of group training, more energy, better sleep, or just an excuse to wear new activewear.”
do something new
Finally, Williams advises starting a “just one thing” list. “You can add these weekly or monthly, starting with something simple like climbing the stairs, trying a new bodyweight exercise, going for a run with your family, or stretching at the end of the day. You can also try to combine a quick hit with a second hit, an activity that challenges you both physically and mentally.”