Many people promise to start exercising to ring in the New Year. However, these promises often go unfulfilled. To give you the best possible chance of keeping your promise, we’ve listed the four most common mistakes and tips for avoiding them.
Mistake 1: You start out too fast and strive for perfection right away
Solution:
Starting out too hard will most likely leave you with such sore muscles that you'll feel like you've been run over by a truck. Starting out too hard and striving for perfection right away often lead to the same result: a loss of motivation.
So, make a plan that will allow you to start slowly and at a pace you can definitely keep up with:
– Start exercising in small doses
– Start with a few workout days a week
– Start by choosing activities that feel comfortable
Be prepared for setbacks, too, and be willing to be flexible about your workout schedule. The better you listen to your body, the faster you’ll make progress toward your goal.
Mistake 2: You set goals for yourself that are too challenging and unrealistic
Solution:
Why set goals for yourself that are so challenging that they’re nearly impossible to achieve? Unrealistic goals are a surefire way to fail. So think carefully about what kind of goal you can actually achieve—and in what time frame.
You can set a bigger goal for yourself that might take a whole year or even two to achieve. In addition, we recommend setting smaller milestones that you can reach through weeks or months of work. Here are a few more tips for setting goals.
Think about,
– What changes do you need to make to achieve your goal?
– What is your true motivation, and is it strong enough?
– How long are you willing to commit to the changes and the goal?
Mistake 3. You neglect rest and recovery and don't take other physical demands into account
Solution:
Change and striving to achieve goals can increase stress and, in the worst case, lead to burnout. Starting or increasing physical activity always puts a strain on the body and, sometimes, on the mind as well.
If your life is full of stress and your body is already under a lot of strain even without exercise, adding more exercise won’t help—it might actually make things worse. When you start exercising, it’s a good idea to prioritize sleep and rest so that your body, which is tired from exercise, can recover as quickly as possible. Good recovery helps you reach your goals faster.
In addition, when starting an exercise routine, it’s a good idea to consider other sources of stress: how stressful and demanding is your job? What about the rest of your daily life? Are there other stressful factors in your life? If your job and daily life are very stressful, it’s a good idea to focus on exercises that help your body and mind recover, and to approach exercise as a form of recovery.
Good activities for recovery include all forms of self-care, such as yoga and stretching. A leisurely walk or an energetic dance can also help with stress management. Light exercise when you’re stressed is always better than being sedentary. However, it’s best to avoid intense workouts until your stress levels have decreased.
Mistake 4. You plow ahead on your own
Solution:
For some people, working alone works, but most of us need support, security, and encouragement from those around us. Reaching your goal can be easier if you share it with your loved ones or set a shared goal with someone who’s important to you.
A shared goal is motivating, and it reduces the likelihood of slip-ups. Working together is also always more enjoyable. Receiving encouragement feels good and helps you keep going.
A personal trainer can also be a great help in reaching your goals and staying motivated. When you work out with your own trainer, you don’t have to worry about anything—just listen to the instructions and follow through. Your trainer will provide you with a ready-made workout plan, which makes it easier to work out on your own. When your motivation wanes, your trainer will keep you encouraged and help you rediscover it.
If you’re planning to make a New Year’s resolution to start working out, make smart resolutions that are achievable and motivating. Also, remember that we at EasyFit are here to support you in 2022 as well.