Visit any gym during January, and you’re likely to encounter hordes of enthusiastic new members. But by February or so, the place begins to resemble a ghost town. That’s because so many people give up on their New Year’s fitness resolutions within the first month of the year.
Sound familiar? Behaviorists claim that it takes about 66 days to form a new habit, meaning most people are quitting when they’re about halfway there. You only need to stick it out a few more weeks, and then your gym visits won’t feel like such a burden anymore. Try these tips to help you maintain your focus on fitness in 2016.
Get a buddy. Arrange to meet a friend at the gym. You wouldn’t be rude and cancel your “date”, would you? Working out with a friend keeps you accountable for your goals, and it’s more fun anyway.
Change your outlook. Most people feel like a failure if they break their resolution. For example, if you decided to visit the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you might feel as though you have failed at your entire mission if you skipped the gym last Friday. But the truth is, that’s just a temporary setback. Missing one day doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel for good!
Utilize technology to help you meet your goals. Fitness bands and smart phone apps will remind you when it’s time to work out. You can also use them to track your progress, which will motivate you to keep going. Use any tool at your disposal. Increasing the convenience and effectiveness of your workouts will help you stay on track.
Analyze the problem. If you’re skipping your gym appointments, ask yourself why. If it’s a scheduling conflict, choose a better time for your workouts. If the gym is inconvenient, choose one closer to your home or office, or stream fitness videos at home instead. If you’re skipping workouts because you’re tired at the end of the day, get it done first thing in the morning. Set yourself up for success by choosing days and times that work for you, rather than trying to cram a workout into an already jam-packed schedule.
Write it down. The simple act of writing your goals or workout schedule triggers a reaction in your subconscious mind. You’re more likely to follow through on goals once you have identified them and committed yourself on paper.
