Plenty of people end the year with a resolution to get fit starting Jan. 1. Still, experts say there are ways to get started before the new year – and ways to stay motivated. Here are few tips for those planning to launch fitness routines in the new year – or sooner.
- Don’t wait until Jan. 1. National fitness expert Amie Hoff said this can set people up for failure because the mentality can lead folks to go overboard with eating and drinking during the holidays. She said there’s nothing wrong with starting a fitness plan in December.
- For those with established routines, Aush Chatman, owner of CrossFit San Deigo, advises people to give themselves a break. Literally. He suggests picking a two-week period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s to take off from fitness. To make this effective, the remaining four weeks should be committed to diet and training.
- When it comes to holiday parties and dinners, Chatman said never attend hungry. Eat normally all day and grab a healthy snack right before you go. Also, pick one indulgence each dinner. Allow yourself to have it and enjoy, but be super-strict with other elements of the meal.
- When starting a fitness routine, San Diego personal trainer Pete McCall said to set realistic goals and start small. Exercising 20 minutes, three times a week, is something that can be built upon. Setting a goal of working out six days per week for an hour can lead to skipping workouts if one is missed. To stay on track, he suggests looking for a group exercise program. People in programs tend to become friends, which might make you more willing to go – and it holds you accountable.
- There will be mornings where staying in bed seems more appealing than hitting the gym. To make sure you go, Hoff recommends placing the alarm out of arm’s reach so you have to get up. Hopping in the shower for five seconds is enough to wake you. Also, there are apps that send daily motivational texts to keep you on track.
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