Making (and Keeping) Your New Year Fitness Resolutions 2023

It's that time of year again.

The time when we all think about making a list of resolutions for the New Year, and then promptly forget about them by February ;)

If you're looking to really stick to your fitness goals next year, here are some tips!

Make a list of all the fitness goals you want to achieve in the year 2023

Write down what your motivation is for achieving these goals because if you do this, you'll be way more likely to stick with it!

Use the S.M.A.R.T method when setting your goals - this means they should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (in other words: you need to know exactly what you want to achieve!).  

Start with small steps that will get you closer to achieving these goals! For example; if one of your resolutions is to run a marathon in 2023 then start by signing up for a half-marathon race instead :)

Make sure it's realistic and don't bite off more than you can chew straight away!

Work on building yourself up gradually so that reaching those big fitness goals doesn't seem like such an impossible task after all ;)

Create a plan

Create a plan that includes an exercise routine and healthy dieting habits, like meal prepping on the weekends (bonus points for batch cooking), or joining a gym membership together.

• Be specific — clearly define your goal, what you are going to accomplish, by when.
• Make your goals measurable -  you really want to set yourself up for success here. For example: 'I will run 30 minutes a day is better than just saying 'I'm going to exercise every day.
• Take it one step at a time - don't try and change your entire life around in the next few months, you'll burn out! Just start slow and work on making small changes that stick long term... like eating veggies with dinner instead of chips (doesn't sound like much but trust me — first world problems).
• Reward yourself along the way - You should be celebrating everything — even if its as simple as congratulating yourself for not missing a workout this week ;) Remember, fitness goals are all about having fun too :) 💪
• Your goals need to be achievable -  if they are too hard, you'll get discouraged when things don't turn out as planned. Your goals need to be relevant to you - If your goals are relevant to you, you'll be more likely to stick with them.
• You can set yearly, monthly and weekly goals! It's important to remember that fitness takes time — it took a long time for your body to get as unhealthy as it is now so don't expect instant results.
• It will take 21 days of repeated actions before something becomes a habit -  this means if you're not used to working out every day then start off by committing yourself just three times a week and gradually build up from there :) You can do anything for 30 days, right? 💪 I'm going to try meal prepping on the weekend! I've been wanting/trying/buying new workout clothes but they keep sitting in my closet... maybe I need a new system to keep me motivated...
• Goals should be time-specific - By making them time-specific, you'll know exactly what to work towards.
• Regularly reassess your progress - By doing this, you can see what's working and what isn't.

Write down your progress every week

Write down your progress every week so you can stay motivated and keep track of how far you've come!

I know this may sound silly but writing is actually proven to help us think differently when we look at our goals long-term - which will ultimately help us achieve them faster!  

You can also look back on your goals every few months to see if you need a re-assessment or not!

Share your journey with friends, family, and on social media

Share your journey with friends, family, and on social media so they can help support you along the way!

If none of your friends have made resolutions yet then perhaps YOU should be the one to get everyone else in shape

Keep in mind that having a busy schedule is no excuse for not being able to achieve your goals.

You just have to prioritise fitness into your lifestyle; whether it's getting up early before work or working out at lunchtime instead of taking long breaks during the day.

Try new things like attending classes after work (like indoor cycling) if other forms of exercise aren't appealing enough by themselves. Just remember to make changes - one step at a time.

Get an accountability partner

Get an accountability partner who will hold you accountable for sticking to your resolutions! They should be someone who cares about your success as much as (or more than) they care about their own success - this person could be a friend, sibling, parent or spouse!

Give yourself time

Don't be hard on yourself or set unrealistic expectations for what can happen in one day, week, or month. Fitness takes time - it took a long time for your body to get as unhealthy as it is now so don't expect instant results.

Be patient

Rome wasn't built in a day! Keep at it and eventually, success will come! Where most go wrong is trying to change all aspects of their lifestyle at once.

Setting smaller, incremental goals that are easier to accomplish is the best way to go about it!

Do this along with making a note of your journey every week and you'll be well on your way to a healthier, happier life!

Wrapping Up

So there you have it!

Do you have any tips of your own?

We'd love to hear them! Feel free to share in the comments below.