Start 2022 off right by making and keeping a promise to your health.
January 1st is a big day for those looking to make a positive change in their lives, but the mental weight of New Year’s fitness resolutions can feel less like a curl and more like a deadlift! If you’re hopeful but nervous to start working on the “new you,” here are four ways you can push for success at your local gym without knocking yourself out:
Stick to S.M.A.R.T. Goals
This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. That means that you should have your goals clearly in mind (or better yet, written down,) rather than a broad idea of ‘where you’d like to be in the future.’ A S.M.A.R.T. goal may look something like:
I want to lose 20 pounds in the next 6 months by going to the Bayshore Fit three times a week.
Not only are you specifically outlining what you want (to lose 20 pounds), you are setting a realistic, attainable “finish line” within a reasonable amount of time. Conversely, committing to going to the gym every day, especially if you aren’t going frequently already, may be intimidating and leave you feeling like you’ve failed if you’re struggling after a week or two.
Track Your Progress
The scale is a great tool to use as part of your gym fitness approach, but it shouldn’t be the only one! Getting a fitness tracker bracelet, or even just manually keeping track of your reps, the weight lifted or moved on machines, or the time you spend doing exercise are all helpful steps. When you’re focusing on your workout, it can be difficult to see and feel like you’re making progress, but numbers don’t lie! Keep track of your pace and ability and celebrate each increase in movement as much as – or even more than – the decreases you see on the scale.
Get Fitness Support
Going to the local gym with a friend, family member, or loved one as an “accountability buddy” will help keep you motivated as well. Knowing that someone else is depending on you to keep them motivated can get you over those mental and physical hurdles that tempt you to skip your workouts.
Additionally, working with a trainer or enrolling in classes at your local South Tampa gym is a great move. Doing either will give you something to look forward to, rather than simply staring at the control panel of a fitness machine for the duration of your workout. The high-energy, focused approach of specific group workouts will make the time pass quickly, helping you reach your goals with less internal struggle.
Celebrate Your Wins
Rewarding yourself for a job well done, or even a positive effort, is important. While the familiar joke is rewarding yourself with things like food, remember that it’s only one option in a very wide range! Try dangling a “carrot” of seeing a new movie, or taking a relaxing weekend trip, instead of a visit to your favorite fast food joint. Fitness rewards should be for all the senses, and they should be something you genuinely enjoy, rather than something you may feel guilty for later.
Ready to make 2022 your year, and work towards those New Year’s fitness resolutions in a state-of-the-art fitness facility? Bayshore Fit is the perfect place to start your journey. Stop by our South Tampa gym to tour our clean, inviting facility, sign up for fitness classes, and become a member today!