Have you set lofty fitness goals but found it hard to find the motivation to hit the gym?
Maybe you started the year strong, but a roadblock derailed your plans, and you can’t find the motivation to pick up where you left off.
According to yoga instructor Catherine, relying on inspiration alone is a recipe for disaster. “Motivation is so fleeting,” says Catherine. “Discipline really gets you where you want to go.”
If you’re struggling to stick to your fitness goals this year, you’re not alone. A Sundread survey found that 43 percent of people give up on their New Year’s fitness goals before February.
If you don’t want to fall into this category, make sure you don’t accidentally undermine yourself and your goals in any of the following ways:
- You set unrealistic goals.
A vague goal like “walking more” can be difficult to achieve because it has no clear parameters. Catherine suggests making your goals specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.
“Be clear about what your goal is, why you want to achieve it, and make it measurable so you can track it and see your progress,” she says.
- Have an all-or-nothing mentality.
Maybe you overslept one morning and missed your workout, or maybe you just didn’t feel like it and took a couple extra days off. You have to be patient with yourself and treat training intervals as small speed bumps. Gymnastics is a marathon, not a sprint.
- You train too hard and too fast.
Bridget, a certified corrective exercise specialist, emphasises that proper rest and recovery can prolong the life of your fitness goals. Not listening to your body can lead to injuries and mental and physical burnout.
- You choose the wrong exercises.
Focus on forms of movement that you actually enjoy. Because if you’re bored with your workouts, you won’t be able to stick to your goals.
