You’ve made the resolution, now here’s how to follow through with it!
1. Let go of the past.
Don’t dwell on what has gone wrong with your fitness routine in the past. The past is the past, and there is not any value in looking backwards when it comes to establishing a new plan for fitness motivation. Just let it go and be ready to move forward.
2. Crush negative self talk.
A little add on to the previous point, but very important! Silence any negative self talk as it pertains to your body image, your diet, or anything fitness related.
3. Find some inspiration.
Do you lust after a certain bathing suit? Do you want to wear a certain outfit again? Something different? Do you long to model yourself after someone you know personally? Someone you know of in the media? Whatever it is, find some inspiration to keep your fitness journey on track and moving in the right direction.
4. Break that inspiration down into manageable pieces.
Let’s face it, just like anything else in life, you can’t get from point A to point Z without walking through the steps in the middle. Decide on what those smaller steps are for you and then…
5. Write the manageable pieces or baby steps down.
Writing things down is a great way to become accountable to yourself. You are creating a plan. You are putting your aspirations into action. Skipping this could set you up for failure.
6. Find an accountability partner.
This would be someone who will encourage you, not someone who will discourage you. Remember step 2 …. positive talk! You need a cheerleader, someone who will keep you moving, and someone who will not let you off the hook. Personal trainers are also a great way to accomplish this.
7. Establish a consistent day and time.
I don’t mean it has to be the same time, the same day week after week. but do plan it out. Establishing a specific exercise day and time is getting your exercise plan off to a great start. Thinking you’ll just get your exercise in when you get a chance to that week, will never get you where you want. Schedule that appointment, book that spot in your favourite class, whatever will get you committed to you fitness.
8. Put it in your calendar.
Writing your intentions down is the first step toward achieving them. Putting things in writing is a form of accountability that will serve you well when it comes to implementing an exercise routine in your life on a regular basis.
9. When deciding on what you will do, start small but not too small.
When it comes to choosing, choose something that is doable yet challenging enough. Something that is too easy causes boredom and in some cases, a lack of motivation.
10. Get started right now… like today or tomorrow at the latest.
There is nothing like procrastination when it comes to derailing the best laid plans. Yesterday you said “tomorrow”. Get up and move right away. Start executing your plan. Start working on making your way toward accomplishing that inspirational goal you set way back in the beginning.
