Everyone does it, and (almost) everyone fails at it in some way, shape or form. The first few weeks of any new year are the worst for it too – ‘it’, of course, being the promise to take oneself to the gym and focus more on fitness. This is covered by two of the top three new year’s resolutions as uncovered by a recent YouGov poll, and is also a doomed intention for the vast majority of us, no matter how good our intentions.
This vacillation between fitness and idleness is not unusual, nor should it be a reason to admonish yourself any more than you already have. Sticking to something as edifying as a regular exercise routine is something we all struggle with for a reason. This year, rather than making the same attempts again and being surprised at the outcome, why not switch things up in order to make your newfound gym-love a lasting habit?
1. Start Small and Gradual
The biggest villain in any new gym-habit attempt is expectation. We tend to throw ourselves headlong into brutal regimes of exercise more likely to alienate than inspire; it’s no surprise so many of us burn out on gym-going so quickly. Instead, try starting out on shorter, less frequent workouts and gradually increasing the duration and intensity of each. This approach prevents burnout and promotes consistency, setting the stage for longer-term gym attendance.
2. Find an Activity You Enjoy
Another mistake many of us make when exploring new fitness habits is landing on the least-fun exercises possible. A rare few of us truly enjoy jogging, let alone in the punishing weather that batters Britain for all but three months of the year. Abandon the punishment practice, and instead choose something more closely aligned with your own interests and preferences. Climbing, for instance, has enjoyed a huge upwelling in interest – being at once a logic puzzle, gamified sport and decent workout.
Fun activities can also be made more fun by your own approach to them. Rather than wallowing in silent misery, why not bring along some loud headphones to pump out some high-energy music while you exercise? For something like climbing, music can also be helpful for your focus in otherwise-busy gyms.
3. Make it Convenient
Convenience is a powerful attribute, and one which you should look for in your gym. The closer and easier to access, the better for your habit-forming; the idea is to remove every possible barrier to your attendance, whether schedule or travel difficulties.
4. Set Realistic Goals and Track Progress
Starting small with your routine is a great way to establish a realistic relationship with exercise. Rather than aiming for the moon, you should instead establish achievable fitness goals. Monitor your progress to maintain motivation, and when you inevitably reach your goals you’ll feel a sense of immense accomplishment that’ll keep you focused and committed to reaching your next milestones.
