How to Stick to New Year Resolutions for Fitness This Year
The new year brings with it a fresh opportunity to take control of your health and fitness. From starting an exercise regimen to being more intentional with your nutrition, a New Year resolution can be a chance to reassess your priorities and take action.
However, even with the best intentions, New Year resolutions can be hard to stick to. Despite all the inspirational quotes and promises of a “new year, new you,” there is no quick fix when it comes to leveling up your lifestyle. Instead, sticking to your New Year resolutions is about changing your daily habits in a sustainable, manageable way.
If you’re ready to make a serious lasting change this time around, it’s important to set yourself up for success. Rather than chasing aspirational healthy lifestyle buzzwords, we’ve put together our top tips on how to stick to New Year resolutions and make your fitness dreams a reality.
Set Your Goals
You can’t start working toward your health and fitness goals if you don’t know what they are. Whether your goal is to hit 10K steps every day, hike the Appalachian Trail, or lose 15 lbs, it’s important to begin with a clear vision.
Rather than writing a list of achievements that sound good on paper, your goals should feel like an authentic extension of where you’re at in your fitness journey. Don’t be afraid to dream big, either! You’d be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you give yourself permission to go after it!
Work Day-by-Day
Once you’ve set your goals for the year, it’s time to break them down into manageable chunks you can tackle every month, week, or day. While running a marathon may seem like a huge task, once you create your training plan and add it to your schedule it suddenly won’t feel as daunting. As your runs get progressively longer and your times get faster, that marathon won’t feel as daunting after all!
Staying organized is an often underestimated element in sticking to a New Year resolution. So, don’t forget that a well-structured calendar can be a valuable tool in hitting your health and fitness goals this year.
Consider the Why
Sticking to New Year resolutions is an exercise in discipline, so it can be very useful to delve into the psychology behind changing existing habits and creating new ones. While having a six-pack or setting a PR can help to motivate you in the beginning, understanding why you may fall back on unhealthy habits like overeating or smoking will help you contextualize where you are in your journey.
With this knowledge, you can then switch out some of your old habits for new ones that better suit your short-term and long-term goals. For instance, if you often crave desserts, you may find yourself in a cycle of restricting and then binging sugar. That means you’ll have some great successes… but they’ll be balanced out by a few agonizing defeats!
Instead, recognizing that you’re probably going to want an after-dinner treat can help you prepare by pre-making a chia pudding or stocking up on fruit. These little tricks can help you work with your natural impulses rather than against them and set you up for success with realistic milestones.
Find a Buddy
Starting a new routine can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re going it alone. One of the best ways to stay accountable and disciplined is by working out with others who have similar goals and passions. Whether it’s trail running with a friend on a Saturday morning or heading to Tuesday night yoga every week, community support may be the key to staying on track this new year.
Plan Your Rewards
While being healthy is its own reward, there’s no doubt that it’s nice to get some encouragement along the way. Fitness goals are usually incremental and different for everyone, so take the time to celebrate your wins—even the ones that don’t come with a medal!
Treat yourself to a new pair of trainers after a particularly long bike ride, or book tickets to see your favorite band after sticking to your nutrition plan for a month. Whatever they are, if you make your progress a point of personal pride, pursuing your goals will be as joyful as achieving them.
Dress for Success
When it comes to feeling confident and comfortable on your health journey, having the right gear is key. From high-quality clothing that makes you feel your best at the gym to supportive shoes that can go the distance, don’t underestimate the importance of proper athletic wear.
And as you're figuring out how to stick to your New Year resolutions for fitness, don’t forget to include a good pair of socks! Specialized sports socks are designed to support your feet, prevent blisters, and keep them cool and comfortable, allowing you to focus on hitting those goals instead of nursing your toes.
Fitsok for the New Year
Now that you have some ideas for how to stick to New Year resolutions this year, Fitsok is here to help you rise to your potential. With a range of specially engineered performance socks for both men and women, you will be supported from the ground up no matter where your journey takes you. Whether you’re hitting the trail or the gym, there’s a Fitsok for everyone and every goal.
From colorful crew socks to sleek no-show socks, discover the full range of Fitsoks to keep you fresh, comfortable, and on track to finally keep those New Year resolutions. Good luck!