Getting past good intentions

Have you ever thought about why January is such a busy month at a gym or any other workout facility? It’s much harder to get appointments with a personal trainer and you won’t find many deals on annual memberships. This is because people are more than willing to start workout programs, especially after the holidays.

However, the crowds thin out over the following months because although people are willing to start working out, they usually end up quitting long before they have reached their goals.

If you have found yourself in this cycle, then maybe it is time to try something different.

Tip 1 – Write it down

I recommend putting your fitness plan for the upcoming year in writing, as this is a great way to make yourself stick to your goals. It doesn’t have to be extremely specific, but it should have enough attainable goals that you can feel like you have reached a goal and accomplished something at the end of each month.

For example, “lose weight” is too general. Try “lose five pounds” instead.

Tip 2 – Divide and conquer

I recommend dividing the plan into months or seasons, setting a general goal for that period, and then outlining specific goals and areas of focus. Often, it is a good idea to set an ultimate goal for the year and then have the rest of the goals leading up to that major one.

For example, your goal could be to run a marathon, and your smaller goals would be to reach certain mile markers, improve endurance, or focus on getting stronger.