Yikes! It’s already March. How are those fitness and running resolutions doing?
After a burst of enthusiasm and determination in January, when many people make their health, weight loss and running goals, we are now about a week into March, when, unfortunately, many of those awesome resolutions have started to slip.
One of the mistakes that many people make when they make fitness resolutions is they choose vague or general goals such as “I’m going to lose 20 pounds,” or “I’m going to run a marathon,” without creating a plan with which to achieve those goals.
Fortunately, it is never too late to start your fitness and running journey, whether it’s January, March, or even July. Here are some tips to help you hold on to your fitness and running resolutions.
5 Tips to Help You Hold onto Your Fitness and Running Resolutions
'Yikes! It's already March! How are those #fitness and #running resolutions going? Here are 5 tips to get you back on track!Click To TweetThink Big, then Think Small
By that, I mean that while it is great to have a grand end-goal, like losing 20 pounds or running a marathon, breaking it down into smaller pieces will make it much more achievable and give you ongoing positive feedback.
Create SMART Goals to Achieve Your Fitness and Weight Loss Resolutions
For example, for a weight loss goal, break it down into monthly or weekly parts. Losing one or two pounds a week sounds much more obtainable, and, when it is achieved, it will give you more encouragement to keep going.
Likewise, if running a marathon (or just starting to run) is one of your goals, start with thinking about a day, week, then a month at a time. Gradually increasing your mileage will help to make that 26.2 miles sound more manageable.
Have a Plan
A plan is necessary for any fitness and health goal, and it should be specific. If your goal is to “get fit,” how are you going to do that?
Your plan should include precise details as to what you will do to achieve that goal. Will you work out three days a week, hire a personal trainer or a coach, join a gym, or create a workout space in your home? Write it down and get started.
Be Flexible, but Determined
Stuff happens. Life can interfere with our goals. Illness, accidents, work, all of those can make it difficult to stick with your plan. Don’t throw up your hands and decide that it just is too hard, or that it wasn’t meant to happen.
Instead, flow with it. So your child gets sick and you can’t make it to the gym for a week? Try short workouts at home that will, at least, get you moving (here’s a great 30-minute non-killer workout that needs very little equipment and is great for beginners and runners).
Use a Support System
As with most things in life, pursuing health goals is much more achievable with support. Whether you find a workout buddy, an enthusiastic spouse or partner, or an online community with which to share your successes, a support system will help you stick with your plan.
There are also professional support systems that will help you achieve your fitness resolutions. Hiring a personal trainer or a running coach will not only ensure that you have a personalized and safe plan, your trainer will help keep you motivated and accountable.
If a trainer is out of your price range, consider group training. With smaller groups and similar goals, the cost of group training is much more affordable. Or consider signing up for a few sessions to get you started. This is an investment in your health.
You can also check into online training and coaching. For runners, check out your local running club. You’ll not only find support you’re sure to find some new running friends!
A nutritionist is also a good investment, especially if weight loss is your goal. There is a lot of confusing and misleading nutritional information out there. Hiring a registered dietician will help you sort it all out.
Don’t Give Up
Whatever you do, don’t give up. Re-start, re-focus, re-plan, but don’t stop. Remember your motivation. You can do this.
How are your 2024 goals going?
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I can’t believe its March already! Some of my goals are going ok, but I’ve still been slacking on adding in drills to my running. It’s just so hard to fit in one more thing!
Sometimes we have to just do the best we can.
Life does happen and being flexible is the key. I like to make smaller weekly goals to keep me on track
Yes, flexibility is very important. And I like the idea of smaller weekly goals.
Oops what are my goals/resolutions? It’s March and I already forgot them..
but your suggestions are perfect just to motivate yourself to keep going throughout the year.
Lol, just keep doing what you’re doing.
Never give up! That’s so important!
I think it’s a great time of year to remind ourselves to stick with it and keep pushing through! These are great ways to help us do that!
Yes, sometimes people run into hurdles then just give up. We need to keep trying.