Happy New Year!
Believe it or not 2023 has come to an end. I personal have no idea where time goes….As the calendar turns a fresh page, many people use this time to reassess fitness goals and dedicate some time and energy to our health. Including myself. 🙂
To help you stick to your health-related new year’s resolution, we’ve compiled some of the best new year’s resolution tips! YOU Got This!
Set Realistic Fitness Goals
Start by setting realistic, achievable fitness goals and writing them down. Every day Physical Therapists hear patients say, “I used to …” Patients who were active at one time in their life believe that they can perform an exercise routine in a similar manner that they did when they were younger. Many people who attempt to do this will most likely fail or hurt themselves. You need to perform a program that is correct for you. Don’t attempt to do a routine that was designed for someone else or who you once were. Don’t assume that your body and someone else’s that looks similar to you are the same. Everyone is different and you should ask the advice of a healthcare professional that specializes in exercise prescriptions to design a plan specifically for you. Your realistic goals lay the foundation for a successful and sustainable fitness journey. Incremental progress is key!
Pacing Yourself and Establishing a Realistic Schedule
If you haven’t maintained a regular exercise routine for years, it’s unlikely that you’ll be enthusiastic about working out every day. Consider pacing yourself by going to the gym maybe 1-2 times per week and setting a goal of incorporating home exercises 1-2 days per week? As you make progress and your body and muscles adapt to your program and routine, you can gradually adjust the duration and intensity of your workout schedule according to your goals and time. Treat your workout schedule as you would a business meeting, scheduling it officially on your work calendar. Just as you wouldn’t miss a business meeting, make exercising a non-negotiable part of your weekly routine until it becomes a natural habit.
Get Help
If it’s been a while, maybe even several years, since you last exercised, you might find yourself unfamiliar or intimidated with certain exercises or how to start a program. Additionally, the required equipment may look and function differently. You should seek the advice of a professional that can guide you towards a proper exercise routine for you. Performing exercises with improper techniques or improper pacing can be more harmful than not doing them at all. Take the time to learn and implement a proper exercise routine to prioritize your safety, effectiveness, well-being, and success!
Don’t Let Setbacks Ruin Your Momentum
As you begin to implement your new year’s resolution, it’s important to keep the momentum moving forward. A minor setback with your resolution doesn’t warrant abandoning it and postponing it to the following year. Instead, push through those challenges, recognizing that substantial change is a gradual process. Stay focused on the small wins. Small wins add up to big progress.
YOU Got This! Remember: Rome was NOT built in a day!
Wishing you Health, Happiness, and Vitality in 2024,
Michelle Bjornberg, MS, PT
Body Balance Physical Therapy and Wellness
972-455-4558
