If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to be healthier this year, you’re not alone. Plenty of people start the year eager to achieve weight loss after the holidays or to start a new fitness routine. Unfortunately, many of these people quickly become frustrated and give up, simply because they didn’t set themselves up for success.

In order to make your New Year’s resolution a reality, you need to set concrete, realistic goals. Following this guide will help you stay on the path to success.

The #1 Reason Most Fitness New Year’s Resolutions Fail

When it comes to weight loss and new exercise routines, most New Year’s resolutions fail because they aren’t S.M.A.R.T.:

– Specific
– Measurable
– Achievable
– Realistic
– Time-based

Many people say they “want to lose weight” after the holidays, but what exactly does that mean? Do they want to lose five pounds or 50? In order to track your progress, you need to have a specific, quantifiable end goal.

When people can’t reach unrealistic goals, they often give up and return to their old habits. Don’t make that mistake. You need to carefully think about your goals and realize that success doesn’t happen overnight. Trying to lose 30 pounds in one month is both unrealistic and unsafe. Setting a more achievable goal will keep you motivated and feeling successful.

Creating An Achievable New Year’s Resolution

It is helpful to break down goals into smaller intervals. Instead of saying that you want to lose 30 pounds this year, you can set a goal to lose five pounds a month for the next six months. Breaking down your goals allows you to see that your resolution will take time.

Don’t forget to reward yourself for each smaller success! Along the way, take time to celebrate your achievements. Maybe after losing the first 10 pounds, you can take yourself shopping for new clothes.

Many people also find that changing just one behavior at a time is doable. For example, don’t try to completely overhaul your diet in a day. It might be helpful to focus on eating a healthy breakfast for several weeks. Once you’ve met that goal, you can start to look at your other meals and snacks throughout the day.

Maintaining a Fitness New Year’s Resolution

Maintaining your New Year’s resolution requires accountability, both to yourself and to others. Consider hiring a personal trainer. He or she will keep you motivated and on track. A personal trainer will also help you set realistic goals based on what your health and fitness levels are today. If you’re new to working out, a trainer will also show you how to properly exercise so you avoid injuries.

In order to keep your resolution on track, you also need to find an exercise schedule that works for you. It could be before work, over the lunch hour, or in the evening. The important thing with an exercise routine is consistency, so set up a schedule that you can stick to in the long term. You may have to tweak your schedule as you go, but when you have a routine down pat it will be easier to follow.

Remember that staying healthy is a journey, and there will be road bumps along the way. While you want to be accountable, you don’t want to be too hard on yourself. Stay motivated, and don’t give up.

Make Your Resolution a Reality at Wellbridge

Joining an athletic club is the best way to keep your fitness resolutions. You’ll have access to state of the art equipment, group classes, and experienced personal trainers. You’ll also benefit from the camaraderie of other people who are focused on living a healthy lifestyle.

When you’re ready to get healthier, find the Wellbridge club location closest to you. Give us a call or just stop in. We’re happy to help you set and achieve your fitness goals this year.