How to keep your fitness resolutions

1: Define and refine

Define what being healthy means to you. It could be cutting back on caffeine, eating more vegetables, or a full-on lifestyle change including diet and exercise. Those in the industry say to break a goal down by definition and then refine it to align to your life. It doesn’t need to be too complicated.

2: Take it slow

Don’t completely change your life on Monday next week. Instead, take small steps to miniature goals. You can spend the entire year remembering to drink enough water and that would have a more positive impact on your life than switching to a diet and exercise regime for a month. If you shock your system, you’re less likely to continue.

3: Pair up

It’s far more motivating to go for a run when you have someone to hold you accountable. Your workout partner should have similar goals. If you can both agree to attend that hot yoga class two times a week or walk to work three times a week, you won’t feel like it’s a chore rather a social event.

4: Love it or leave it

Hate running? Then don’t promise yourself you’ll do it this year. Find something you enjoy doing and do it. Fitness doesn’t limit you to the treadmill at a gym. Activities such as tramping, kayaking and swimming are fun and good to keep the body moving. If you’ve never tried it, give it a go.

5: Dump the resolution tradition

Obviously if you don’t make a resolution, there is no way to not achieve it. But that’s not what this tip implies. Instead of setting a resolution, which can imply you need to change, find an intention. By choosing an intention, you can better focus on what you want to see happening in your life. Choose a word such as ‘‘balance’’, ‘‘action’’ or ‘‘community’’ and write it down. Whatever your day entails, keep it in mind.