January is almost over, so you know what that means? If you made any New Year’s fitness resolutions, you’re that much closer to ensuring you stick with them. Statistics show that at the end of January, some 64% of resolvers are still hanging in there; six months later, that number drops to 44%. If you can make it through the first month of the year, the chance of failed resolutions slows.
Still, it’s a long haul to keep your resolve throughout the rest of the year (and after!), so we put together a few tips to help keep you committed:
- Use technology. There are plenty of free Smartphone and tablet apps that do a great job of helping you stay focused on your goals; why not put them to work? This Gazelle article outlines the best weight loss apps for keeping your fitness resolutions.
- Set clear, realistic goals – and then tell someone. Specific goals are much easier to attain than something general or vague. “Lose two pounds per month” is measurable; “get fit” isn’t so easy to keep track of. Once you have a clear goal in mind, write it down so it becomes more concrete, and then tell someone about it. According to Scranton University researchers, people who announce their goals to their family, friends and peers are 10 times more likely to attain them than are people who keep their goals to themselves.
- Take lapses in stride. So you didn’t go the gym this week – so what? The sky isn’t going to fall if you miss a workout or two. Just get back at it next week and pick up where you left off.
Keeping your New Year’s fitness resolutions isn’t about obsessing over the details; it’s about committing to a longer-term change and keeping the big picture in mind.
So keep it simple, and be sure to give yourself plenty of incentives along the way to make the process as enjoyable as possible. For example, our luxury Fitness Towels make your workout routine extra comfortable and decadent. They are a calorie-free indulgence that supports your goals and rewards your efforts.
Good luck, and enjoy!