Do’s and Don’ts of New Year’s Fitness “Resolutions”

Happy New Year!! We have just started 2022, and it feels great to have a fresh slate with a whole year ahead doesn’t it? More often than not, we know that many people make a New Year’s “Resolution” to up their fitness game. Maybe you packed on a few pounds during the holiday season with all the treats and sweets. Maybe this is the year you want to get in your best shape yet. Maybe it’s finally wanting to start eating well and exercising on a regular basis. No matter your goals, we’re here to provide a few tips on what you can do as well as tips of what NOT to do to help create new habits for a healthier lifestyle, especially if you’re someone who is always on-the-go like us!

DON’T call it a resolution

We put the word in quotation marks for a reason. Let’s just throw that word out the door. The word resolution is a firm decision to do or not do something, and for most people they use this term to set unrealistic goals. These goals usually have an expiration date by the time February rolls around only to be entirely forgotten months later. It sounds silly we rely on the first day of the new year to spark change rather than just doing it right now! We want to set lasting changes rather than this quick fix IDEA of “resolutions” that may never come to life.

DO take action and make a concrete goal

Instead of having New Year’s resolutions, create a goal! One that is achievable (we’ll talk about this more in another tip below). Try to make it specific. If you want to lose weight, give yourself a number. If you want to start going to the gym, take steps to look into a membership or start planning time to go. If you want to eat healthier, maybe learn to cook healthy meals by buying a recipe book or watching youTube. Take the steps to start working towards your goal instead of just making a blanket statement that you will do it. Make like NIKE and just DO it.

DON’T get caught up in diet fads

Speaking of quick fixes, don’t get caught up in fads. We’re talking fads that promise to help you lose weight in a short amount of time such as juice cleanses, detox diets, soup diets. We don’t care what it is. Just don’t do it. You don’t need to deprive your body of vital nutrients just to shed a few pounds.

DO fuel your body with nutrient dense foods

Fresh fruits. Lean proteins. Less processed foods. When you start fueling your body with these types of food, you overall will feel better and healthier by eating cleaner. And your body will start to reap the benefits overtime too. Many nutrient dense foods are packed with vitamins and minerals that are so good for your hair, skin, nails, digestion, mind and overall health and wellness!

DON’T over exercise

If think you have to be the cardio energizer bunny and hop on the treadmill for hours on end just to “work off” the holiday pounds. Think again. Over exercising can lead to injury and stress on the body by pushing yourself too hard and too far. When you end up stressing out, you increase your cortisol levels, causing higher insulin levels. When you increase your insulin levels, your blood sugar drops, and you crave foods that can make you gain weight such as sugary and fatty food!

DO create a daily exercise routine

We know it’s harder with this lifestyle of always being on the run (or in the air) for us. Everyone has 24 hours in a day. you can always set aside some time to move your body, even if it means getting up a little earlier before you start the rest of your day. Moving your body can be going for a walk. Doing a quick HIIT sesh. Practicing yoga, stretching, or making some time to hit the gym! The small daily habits will add up in the long run and become more a part of your lifestyle that it will turn into something that you look forward to doing and not feel like you have to do it.

DON’T set unrealistic goals

If you are planning on losing 10 pounds within 1 month or want to be a size 0 when maybe your bone structure is just not built for that fit. These ideas create an unhealthy mindset. Don’t focus on the scale in letting it run your life when you aren’t a certain number, and stop focusing on social media by fixating on someone who may be a different size and bone structure than you. Hey, we too are guilty of it!

DO have achievable goals

We’re not trying to deter you from achieving your desired weight or wanting to look your best for your next beach getaway. Rather we want you to do it in a healthy manner. Set goals that you know are doable. It could be something as simple as you’re going to eat more greens this week. You’re going to drink a gallon of water a day. You’re going to go for a run 3x a week or start going to the gym. Setting this meaningful goals will help you to achieve your overall bigger goals like reaching a certain number on the scale or being in the shape you want to be in, that’s realistic for you!

DON’T get discouraged

Like any good thing in life, it takes time. You don’t take a cake out of the oven before it’s ready right? Or else you’re left with a mushy piece of dough. If you feel like you can’t do something or staring down the long road ahead, take a deep breath, tie those shoe strings, and just start moving towards your goals. Don’t let self doubt creep into your head that you will never lose weight, or you’re just not a gym goer, or you’ll never be able to run a mile. You got this. One step at a time.

DO be kind to yourself

We know there’s going to be times where you think you can’t do it, and you’ll pick yourself apart. Give yourself grace. We’re human. But the important thing is to never give up even when you have a rough day. Start trying to wake up every day with the intention that “You got this,” even if you feel like you don’t. It can be hard to think you have so far to go, but we promise you if you just get started, you’re a lot closer to achieving your goals than those who never start or quit. Write down or take mental notes of things you can tell yourself starting with “I AM” and believe it! They can be “I AM a badass.” “I AM crushing this year.” “I AM on my way to a better me.” It sounds silly, but it’s actually a powerful exercise, and releases endorphins of feeling good, about yourself and your journey!

We hope these tips help. If you have any tips that help you set goals or achieve them, let us know! Or share with us, your goals this year, and if you’re already taking the steps to get to where you want to be! We are excited for this year as well, and have lots things we want to do, learn, and see, but it all starts with a goal! Let’s smash our goals together and make 2022 our year!

Go Live. Stay Fit!