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WHAT'S NEW
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5 reasons fitness New Year's resolutions fail
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Explore factors that derail fitness resolutions and find out how you can sidestep these pitfalls on the path to success.
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By Tammy Sutherland
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Reason #3 why fitness resolutions fail: Taking on too much, too fast.
Motivation is a wonderful, addictive feeling, but it can cause you to go a bit overboard. If your lazy mornings of sleeping in and lounging on the couch suddenly become marathon cardio sessions followed by some serious weight training, your body is not going to be happy with you. "Taking on too much too fast often results in a lot of muscle soreness," explains Tennant. "And that can be a demotivator." If the regime you've started is too strenuous, you're more likely to give up because you can't keep up the pace.
Solution for a resolution that works: Sometimes baby steps are the way to go. "The key is to develop the exercise habit first," says Tennant. "Go out and do something you enjoy without thinking about the number of sets or repetitions." If exercise hasn't been a part of your life for a long time, start small. Promise yourself that you will take the stairs at least once today. Then tomorrow, take the stairs every chance you get.
Reason #4 why fitness resolutions fail: Having an all-or-nothing approach rather than a day-by-day approach.
We not only want to look like fantastic by...well...tomorrow, but we also want to turn into athletes overnight. "Often people get discouraged if they can't exercise for a specific amount of time or a number of days per week. They give up and would rather not do it at all," says Tennant.
Solution for a resolution that works: Creating a fitness schedule can be a great jumping-off point for some people, but you need to keep in mind that any form or length of activity will help you to reach your goal. "If you can't walk for 30 minutes, walking for 10 minutes three times will do, or even walking for 10 minutes will do. The cumulative effect of exercise is better than no exercise at all."
Reason #5 why fitness resolutions fail: Negative thinking
You are your own worst critic. Who else knows about all the times you've failed in the past? And those memories can lead you down a dark path. "If you think you can't achieve it, you won't," promises Tennant.
Solution for a resolution that works: First of all, forgive yourself. Each day is a new day and a new chance to treat your body with the respect it deserves. Secondly, remove "can't" from your vocabulary. It's not that you "can't run", but rather that you haven't learned to run, yet. Once again, Tennant encourages a strategic approach. "It's beneficial to identify strategies that will help get rid of the negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts."
With these winning tools and a good diet that'll give you the energy you need to sustain an exercise regime, this could be the year those fitness resolutions not only stick, but also become healthy lifelong habits.
Page 2 of 2
Find out what we're aiming for in the new year with Homemakers staff New Year's resolutions.
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