We all have that one friend that has the New Year’s resolution that is same every year, “I’m going to lose weight, and start eating right,” We hear it over and over yet after 1-2 months with slight progress, they give up. You’ve probably asked yourself, how could it possibly be they seem so determined in the beginning, yet tail off of their commitment so early. Though everyone is different, the reasoning behind their lack of commitment may be as simple as not being prepared for the grind of steady exercise and dieting. Instead they hop right into whatever workout program of their choosing. Your friend isn’t alone; you see there are numerous people who skip over a critical step towards a healthier lifestyle. That step being preparation. Take a seat, grab your friend, and let’s discuss a few ways to stay comfortable and motivated in your journey to become healthier and increase your fitness.
1) Reduce Stress
Stress is a critical factor in the life of any individual. Overcoming stress can be a daunting task yet very rewarding. One way to do so is change your way of thinking. Look at everything with a positive perspective. If something is out of our control, we must learn to let it go, and if we can control it, we must act accordingly. Another way to reduce stress is to follow a steady sleep schedule. 7-9 hours a night has been proven to be the proper time range for adequate muscle recovery and rest. Lastly, similar to thinking positively you must also eliminate negativity from your everyday life. Hear me out, I know it’s impossible to expect a problem free life. But we shouldn’t encounter consistent waves of negativity throughout our day. Follow these steps for reduction of stress in life and reduction of hurdles in fitness.
2) Know Your Goal
Often times when setting upon a journey of any kind we lose track of what we envision as our end goal. This can be a recipe for disaster. Remembering our goal is crucial for motivation through hard times or a “pick me up” when we happen to not be in the mood. But just remembering isn’t enough, we must also envision it. Picture yourself in that bikini you always wanted or that suit you want to fit into. Before beginning an exercise program, we must not forget our vision and we must keep it in our sights through all the ups and downs we face towards reaching it. Make your goals specific and time oriented. For Example: Instead of saying I just want to lose 20 lbs, You need to say I want to lose 20lbs by August 15th, I want to decrease my body fat by 5% and lose 4 inches off of my waist.
3) Find Your Trainer
The most important step in being committed to a workout regime may just be finding the right trainer for you. You often hear of people walking into a gym, asking for a trainer, and then being assigned one of the staff members based off their goal. Such methods may lead to results, but don’t necessarily lead to sustained results. Personal trainers should be just that, personal. They must have the motivational techniques that adhere most to you, be able to relate and converse with you, and most importantly your schedules must align to avoid any unnecessary hurdles. Don’t go choosing wildly. Sit down and get to know the person before getting to know the trainer.
Fitness is a world that many of us aren’t fully successful in upon first entering. But that isn’t from lack of trying, its typically lack of preparation. So prepare yourself mentally and physically for all adversity faced when transitioning to a healthier lifestyle with these quick and easy tips. Jump into the fitness world feet first, instead of head first, then hit the ground running.
~ Navaseon Norfork, NSCA-CPT
