2020 is almost here, and with that we may start thinking about the new years resolutions we have planned. For most people, drinking less alcohol, getting in nature more, and getting fit and healthy are at the top of the list. It’s easy to achieve the first with a steadfast observation over your daily habits, but regularly attending the gym can be a more difficult thing to accomplish.
This is because unless we’re dedicated from the offset, we can make excuse after excuse to halt our progress. It’s not hard to see why. Going to the gym during those cold, dark January mornings, especially before our workday, can seem like such a drag. Ironically, actually getting out of bed and following this new pursuit can help us feel much more ‘ourselves’ than ever, even if it means skipping that aforementioned lie-in.
Preparing yourself for a new years gym attendance can be a great start, because when making that initial planning and financial investment you’re much more likely to continue with your efforts. Let’s help you find your best approach going forward:
Investing In Apparel
Investing in apparel can be a great place to start, particularly if your gym clothes are relatively old or hold the memories of a prior workout regimen that failed spectacularly. Repurposing, retailoring or selling and purchasing new items can help you justify this cost.
A good collection of loose-fitting t-shirts, some tracksuit pants, a few pairs of shorts, and the best shoes for you, such as the Adidas Superstar for basketball or light jogging can go a long way. Also, don’t forget to treat yourself if you can justify it. You may wish to purchase a nice pair of wireless, sweatproof headphones so you can get deep into the fitness progression you have planned without having to fight with your loose earphones every twenty seconds. A little investment goes a long way.
Planning Your Routine
Planning your routine ahead of time can help take all of the vague worry about your new fitness plan and put it to bed. When you have your ideals and potential results ironed out, you can move towards the best option with care and attention.
Try to break down your workout schedule for each session. Some pre-arranged workout sessions can help you with this, for instance Couch 2 5k is known to help people get off the couch and start to run three miles unbroken within around nine weeks. If hoping to follow your own plan, ensure you know exactly what exercises you hope to do, how they progress on that day, and what weights or durations you are going with. Ensure that incremental, slow progress is part of this plan, with a priority of form and safety above all else. Whenever you walk into a gym or leave your home to exercise, you should know exactly what you hope to do that day. With that in mind, you can focus on putting your energies towards these intended results.
Getting Into Dietary Habits
Of course, the festive period is often filled with plenty of calorie-dense foods and alcohol, should you consume that. You won’t see any argument against enjoying yourself here. Of course, however, it can be that planning out your meal plans for the new year can help you feel a little less guilty when indulging over this celebratory period.
Learning new recipes, or trying a new meal delivery service, or even experimenting with intermittent fasting now to see how it feels can lessen the shock of habitual change when the new year comes around. To that extent, you’re likely to feel much more confident in your new routine. You’ll have also laid the groundwork of understanding that can help you stop feeling so insecure and confused when your plans come into action. After all, it’s hard to learn how to eat well, how to recover, how to work out in a new gym, what apparel to wear all within one week. Spacing this out can be necessary.
Noting Your Goals
So far we’ve spoken of actionable and practical efforts that can lead you in the right direction. But what about your overarching goals? There’s no shame in aiming high and getting excited for that. Do you hope to partake in a sport you used to love? What about getting back to a healthy weight, or being able to train for that half marathon next May? Noting your goals can help you on your way, and you should feel inspired to take them.
With this effort, we hope you can prepare yourself for a new year’s gym attendance.
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