What’s your fitness goal for this year? Are you looking to shed some pounds? Or maybe you want to build muscle and become stronger? Whatever your fitness goals are, you’ll have to put in the work consistently, and that’s the difficult part.
Setting goals and failing over and over again can be frustrating. But not to worry. Thankfully, there are some tried and tested ways to help you become more fit. Here are some practical tips to achieving your fitness goals this year.
Set Realistic Goals
The first step to ensuring you reach your fitness goals is to set realistic goals. Of course, you should always choose goals that are slightly challenging, but they should still be within reach. For instance, if you weigh 200 pounds, setting a goal of reducing your weight to 30 pounds in a month is far from realistic. Experts typically recommend a goal of 1 to 2 pounds a week for steady, effective weight loss.
Your goals should be specific and measurable. Ideally, write down your goals and share them with someone else who can be supportive and keep you accountable.
Get a Trainer
Hiring a personal trainer is a sign that you are serious about achieving your goals. A good trainer would help you break down your goals into actionable steps. For instance, if your goal is to shed fat, the right trainer would design a workout plan with exercises such as forward lunges, burpees, double jumps, and kettlebell swings.
You can find good trainers at gyms or online. The best ones are properly trained and have experience to work with you every step of the way until you reach your goals.
Focus On Healthy Eating
The statement, “You are what you eat” probably sounds like a cliche, but nothing could be more true. You can do high-intensity exercises all day long, but if you are not eating right, forget about crushing your fitness goals.
When it comes to food, everyone has cravings and favorites, so sticking to a schedule might be hard. But a good meal plan is necessary. For the best results, contact a nutritionist to design a meal plan that’s perfect for your body.
Fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, proteins, and nuts should be a consistent part of your diet. Cut down on saturated fat and sugars. Also, make sure you drink a lot of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Supplements are another excellent way to keep your body healthy and functioning well.
Monitor Vital Statistics
Thanks to technology, there are now several ways to measure your fitness progress. From smart scales and fitness trackers to specialized clothing that monitors your activity, there are all kinds of technology available to measure key statistics including heart rate, body composition, and oxygen levels. What you measure depends largely on what your goals are.
Gathering such data gives you vital information that helps you tweak your fitness strategies. You’ll get to see patterns that need changing. Tracking your progress can also help you stay motivated and inspired to continue your fitness journey.
Make Fitness a Habit
Often, people put in a lot of effort to achieve their fitness goals only to let down their guards when they lose motivation. That’s like going in circles. For consistent results, you have to stay on track with your goals for the long haul.
The best way to do that is to incorporate fitness into your daily life. For example, instead of driving all the time, make walking a part of your life. If you can ride your bike to your destination, make it a habit to do so. Using an electric bike is a perfect example. With your e-bike, you can commute and exercise at the same time. You have an instant workout and may not need to hit the gym every day. In everything you do, think about making fitness a daily habit.
With consistency, effort and some support, you will crush your fitness goals in no time.