Even if you aren't a fan of resolutions, each new year brings with it the possibility of gently nudging yourself in a more positive direction and contributing more of your energies to your personal wellness. Many people (including me) start the new year thinking about fitness. We all have the best of intentions when it comes to being active and staying fit. But often our busy work and home lives get in the way.
When I look back at my activities in 2013, I see that I became more and more sedentary as the year progressed. I started each weekday walking Jolene the beagle mix to the local park. Other than that, I sat at my computer for almost the entire day, stopping only to eat.
An object in motion stays in motion
I was a devoted member of GoodLife Fitness for many years and I enjoyed using the elliptical trainer and taking fitness classes like Newbody and BODYPUMP. As Newton says, an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion. As long as I continued to attend classes regularly, my enthusiasm stayed strong. I was motivated to increase my personal fitness level by participating in challenging classes with other supportive members. But when I experienced some painful intestinal issues, my attendance began to drop off and I became that dreaded object at rest.
My goal for this fresh new year is to get back into the club again and kick my body into motion. Dropping the muffin top would be nice too! The established wisdom says you need to take 10,000 steps a day for good health. I would hate to think how many steps I currently take each day! Here are my strategies for getting back on a more healthy path this year.
Tips for getting back on the track to good health:
- Keep it simple - set manageable goals to avoid overwhelming yourself.
- Write down your goals for the next month. Buy yourself a lovely journal or simply put pen to paper. Focusing on just one month at a time will allow you to revise your goals as the year progresses.
- Try out different equipment and classes to find out what feels right for you.
- Enlist a friend or family member as a partner so that you can motivate each other and monitor your progress. If you are able, consider the help of a personal trainer.
- Create a motivating playlist for your MP3 player. I find that great music is a necessity for keeping me going on the treadmill or elliptical trainer. Here's one of my favourite playlists.
- Stay hydrated. Ample water is necessary when you are exercising vigorously.
- Be gentle on yourself in the first month. Increase your steps taken each week. Keeping your fitness activities to a manageable level will ensure that you are motivated to continue beyond January and into the year.
Take the "Your Better Starts Here Challenge" & enter to win $10,000 in prizes!
GoodLife Fitness and SportChek are helping Canadians to get back on the road to good health this year with a fun contest. Take the "Your Better Starts Here Challenge” and ensure your motivation stays strong through January and beyond. GoodLife Fitness will be giving weekly challenges and a checklist to inspire you in 2014. For example, week 1 asks you to complete five challenges, including setting a fitness goal and planning an outdoor adventure. Best of all, you can win great prizes - there are $10,000 worth of prizes from GoodLife Fitness and SportChek to assist you in getting fit this year. Be sure to visit the website to get started on week 2 of the challenge.
Enter to win a GoodLife Fitness prize package!
To get you started on your fitness journey in 2014, GoodLife Fitness is offering the opportunity for one Woman in Real Life reader to win a swag bag including a 1 month membership, t-shirt and water bottle. Canadian residents may enter using the rafflecopter widget below until January 31st.
What is your fitness goal for 2014?
Disclosure: Although this post has been sponsored by GoodLife Fitness, the opinions and language are all my own, and in no way do they reflect GoodLife Fitness.
My goal is to eat healthier and to be more active! I'm actually heading out the door right now to my first Group class at GoodLife Fitness :)
ReplyDeleteGood tips! I don't make the new years resolution to get fit because it's one that usually fails lol. What I am going to do is try doing the protein smoothie breakfast for at least 3-4 times a week and reduce the amount I eat at dinner, subbing in more veggies and less carbs. We will see where that takes me because I don't have time to get to the gym. I know that may seem like an excuse but I've mapped it out and I literally don't have time with all the work that I do. So xbox fit 10min here an there if I can fit it in. Good luck with your health plans for this year! I hope we can do well!
ReplyDeleteTo run a 1/2 marathon.
ReplyDeleteA fun pack to help kick start a new year and motivation
ReplyDeleteNow that is a cool water bottle! Yep I would love to drop my muffin top too. Let's call it the mama top :). No GoodLife Fit in my small town but I plan on adding some workouts in my routine at home.
ReplyDeleteI have been going to the Y for years. I have upped my game there this year with a committed and focused track of exercises and weights. I just consulted a wellness coach for first time ever!! So happy to be on the right track and I feel good about it. I haven't done Good Life since I was maybe 18. I'd welcome the chance to try it out again.
ReplyDeleteTo tone up, more strength training and getting into size 6 jeans.
ReplyDeleteMy fitness goal is to start being more active and getting outside.
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to be consistant in using the gym.
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to do more yoga and start weight training.
ReplyDeletemy goal is to be more consistent with exercising..
ReplyDeleteTo get toned and lose a bit of weight.
ReplyDeletebilliondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
to lose my belly fat
ReplyDeletekarenthaeter@hotmail.com
My goal is to get my family more physically active
ReplyDeleteon a rowing machine more often
ReplyDeleteTo lose weight
ReplyDeleteTo swim once a week, to lose weight.
ReplyDeleteI am always working to trim up and build muscle.
ReplyDeleteTo do more yoga, clear the mind, body and soul
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to walk for an hour a day.
ReplyDeleteMission build a booty - getting a firmer butt!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, me too!!!
DeleteMy fitness goal is to tone my arms and lose some arm flab!
ReplyDeleteGain some lean muscle mass, build strength in my upper body, lose some weight in the process
ReplyDelete-Lucy
to malifestyle change
ReplyDeleteMy fitness challenge is that I want to be able to run 5k at all times instead of letting it go in waves
ReplyDeleteThis would give me the boost into getting fit in the winter before summer arrives.
ReplyDeleteTo simply be more active, if I lose weight, great!
ReplyDeleteEat vegan!
ReplyDeleteI want to eat healtheir and get fit.
ReplyDelete(Karla Sceviour)
I just want to be healthier and more active for my kids.
ReplyDeleteMy goals are to eat healthier and be more active.
ReplyDeleteWahooooo! So excited to be selected your winner... cannot wait!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Elle! Enjoy!
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