Beat the Fitness slump

Beat the Fitness slump

We are well into 2018 and by now most of our New Year’s resolutions have lost their appeal and looking a bit tarnished and lacklustre. The year starts fresh with lots of energy and good intentions, but by March the real world has taken over and chipped away at the ideals we created while on holiday.0

I can list a few of my resolutions that didn’t even survive into the second week of January. But, there is no need to worry. We don’t have to wait until next year to reignite our good habits. We can start right now. The Chinese New Year has just begun, so let’s give ourselves a new start and a second chance.

Here are 10 ways to get back to the fitness goals and fire up the motivation again:

1. Start a workout log

• Set a goal and track it.
• This provides you with a roadmap to success. Sometimes we need a little accountability, and writing it down is a great way to remind yourself of what you want to achieve by when.
• Create a calendar.
• So you can see when you want to achieve them. Then put goals in place to help you achieve them.
• An example of this would be that you would like to do 50 squats by June. So what you do to keep on track is to set yourself weekly or monthly goals, start with 5 and build on that until you reach your goal. This helps motivate you to keep going.

2. Work out from home

• If you fear the gym, or can’t get there, do some fun workouts at home.
• If you have pets, run around the garden with them then alternate and make some lunges and jumping jacks in between.
• If you love dancing, put on your favourite songs and dance like no one is watching. Choose a playlist with at least 5 songs, and before you know it, you’ve done 30 minutes of cardio!

3. Get a coach

• You don’t have to hire a professional. You can download one of many great apps, buy a book or watch a video tutorial.
• This can help with creativity and technique issues. If you are not sure what to do next, just follow the coach.

4. Throw music into your workout

• Music is a great pick-me-up, its tempo can immediately elevate your mood and make your body want to move.

5. Build a team

• Get friends or neighbours to join you. You can even join the online communities linked to the apps you enjoy using. Encouragement is so important.

6. Read a biography

• Reading a biography of a sporting celebrity might just be the motivation you need to get your butt off the couch after you’ve read the book of course.

7. Take care of your body

• Don’t jump head first into strenuous training early on. This will only cause injuries, and then you will be out of action again.
• Be kind to your body, do less strenuous activities, but do them often and make it a habit.
• Remember to give yourself rest days to recover.

8. Start your day right

• If you are planning on getting up early to exercise, get everything you need ready the night before. Put your gym shoes next to the bed. Make it easy for yourself to get prepared.
• Prep your morning snack the night before as well.
• If you can get dressed and started while still half asleep, you will have a better chance of going through with the exercise routine.

9. Reward yourself

• I’m not talking about a pizza here. (You can indulge occasionally, but only in small quantities). Ideally, you should reward yourself in a health-conscious way. You don’t want to undo our hard work.
• Make it a real treat instead, like a massage or a pedicure making you feel inside and out.

10. Dress the part

• My best motivator is getting some new workout gear. Then I can’t wait to do something to test it out.
• Treat yourself to some new gear, whatever fits your budget. Even if it’s only a new sports shower gel to try after a gym session.

 

I’m going to give this all a try. I will keep you posted on how it goes. Let me know which tips worked best for you. Do you have any others you would like to share?