As the new year approaches, it’s time to start thinking about those New Year’s resolutions. While some people brush them off as something to laugh about, others take them seriously as a way to keep your goals in check. It can be beneficial to take a look at the things in your life that you want to improve and come up with a plan to make those improvements. With that in mind, here are five New Year’s resolutions to consider and how to truly stick to them!
Health and Wellness
One of the top considerations going into the new year is health and wellness. After all the candy and sweets and treats from the holidays, it’s no wonder people want to cut back on the junk and get back to feeling energetic and motivated. Check out these New Year’s resolutions to improve health and wellness.
Improve Diet
You hear people say they want to improve their diet all the time, but too often it doesn’t actually happen. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to improve your diet without trying to make drastic changes.
First, identify what is currently in your diet that is the most detrimental to your health. Start with one or two things. There is no need to try to jump into diets and cut everything out at once, that just doesn’t work for everyone.
After cutting out a few things, consider one or two things that you can add to your diet to make you feel better. It takes an average of 21 days to form a habit so perform semi-monthly check-ins to make sure you are sticking to your goals and so you will know when you are ready to make more changes.
An example of this method may include cutting out pop tarts for breakfast and replacing them with Avocado toast. Once you have that down, move on to the next thing – maybe replacing soda with tea and so on.
Take Supplements
If you are not one to take pills on a schedule, adding supplements into your diet can sound like a chore. The great thing about supplements is that they are not “one size fits all”. In fact, there are many different ways you can introduce supplements into your diet that may change your life.
Many natural supplements can be used as a powder that can be added to smoothies, soups, salads, or even your morning coffee! Talk to your doctor or trainer about what supplements would be best for you to determine the best form of delivery. Then, simply treat it as an ingredient in your daily recipes.
Fitness
Another common focus of New Year’s resolutions is fitness, and why not! Our bodies are at the centre of everything we do. When our body doesn’t work properly, we can’t work properly. Taking care of your body is a great goal to have, and there are some great methods to help you stick with it!
Lose Weight
When most people think about fitness, they think of losing weight. When you have not been active it can seem like losing weight is as difficult as climbing a mountain. But you don’t have to do it alone.
Start by getting a gym membership. For all the reasons you can come up with to avoid the gym, we have two more reasons to go! For those that have busy schedules or work odd shifts, consider a 24-hour gym like the Nunawading gym Element Fitness.
Not only can a gym provide you with access to equipment and resources that you would not have otherwise, but they can also provide you with trainers, spotters, and classes to help teach you how to safely work out and lose weight!
Keep in mind that pushing yourself beyond your limits will only cause injuries. It is okay to start small and work your way up to more difficult lifts. Start by going to the gym once or twice a week for an hour or so and work your way up from there.
Build Muscle
Getting a gym membership has more benefits than just helping people stay on track losing weight, it can also help you build muscle. You can use the same methods as losing weight to building muscle as well as a few others. Shop around for the best group fitness classes in your area to help you get into the swing of things. A personal trainer can also help you come up with a fitness plan to build muscle and improve your physique. Some of the best group fitness classes in Nunawading gyms can be found at Element Fitness.
Be Healthier
If your goal for fitness has nothing to do with muscle or weight, that’s okay too! Consider getting a gym membership to gain access to state-of-the-art fitness equipment and classes that can keep you happy and healthy. Consider low-impact activities such as yoga or pilates to maintain health and improve flexibility and mobility.
Don’t forget about the recovery! Using the sauna after a workout or getting a massage can improve your overall health. Many gyms have amenities such as a Sauna to help muscle recovery after any kind of physical activity.
A great way to maintain the habit of getting to the gym or making massages and other recovery a priority is to treat it just like any other bill or appointment. If you budget in your health habits, it won’t seem like a drag on the wallet. Similarly, pencilling in your fitness and health activities into your calendar can help you recognize them as a priority rather than an option.
You may have noticed a theme here. The bottom line is, whatever your goals are for the year, take the time to create a plan with small attainable goals to achieve them. No one is forcing you to take on more than you can handle, so don’t! The only way to truly improve is to maintain realistic expectations, track your progress, and celebrate every win!
