It’s that time of year again when we look back on the past 12 months, evaluate our lives and decide what changes we want to make. A lot of people will set themselves fitness goals for 2023, so I thought I’d share my top tips with you in case you’re thinking about doing the same.
Decide what you want to achieve.
Deciding your fitness goal is important. You might be tempted to set a goal that seems attainable and realistic, but don’t be afraid to set ambitious goals. For example, if you have never run before, consider aiming for a 5K race at the end of the year instead of a 10K. This way, even if it takes longer than expected, you will still have achieved something big by the end!
Try not to be too vague about your goals either – “I want to get fitter” isn’t quite enough detail here. Try setting yourself specific measurable targets such as “I will run 1 mile every day for 30 days” (if running isn’t your thing) or “I will complete 10 pull ups in one go” (if pull ups are more up your street).
Train in a way you like.
Finding a form of exercise that you enjoy. There are so many different options out there, so it should be easy for you to find something that suits your personality and lifestyle.
If you love team sports, start playing basketball or football with some friends! If these aren’t really your thing, maybe consider joining the local track team. Getting together with other people who share your interests can make going to practice more fun than it would be if it were just an obligation that had been forced upon you by someone else.
Maybe working out alone isn’t right for you either—but being part of a group is still important enough for you that it’s worth giving group fitness classes a chance. Zumba is one of my favorites; its upbeat music gets me moving even when I’m feeling sluggish! Or maybe dancing isn’t exactly what turns your crank—in which case there are lots of other forms of group exercise available: hip hop aerobics? Kickboxing? Swimming? You’ve got plenty of choices here too!
Find a way of measuring your progress.
If you’re new to fitness, it’s a great idea to set some goals for yourself. Maybe you want to lose weight or gain muscle, or maybe you just want to get more active by walking more often. Whatever your goal is, it’s important that you find ways of measuring your progress along the way—and that means setting up some measurable metrics for yourself.
One option is tracking how much weight or body fat percentage (BFP) you’ve lost over time. This can be done by weighing yourself regularly and/or by using specialized scales such as those made by Tanita or Withings that track BFP using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Another option is taking photographs at regular intervals; this allows visual comparisons between shots taken with similar lighting conditions on different days.
Take breaks.
You may consider taking a break from exercise and training every now and again. It is important to remember that if you have been exercising regularly and then take a day off, your body will be more prepared for the return of activity, which might be less intense than if you had continued to train during this period of rest.
Be careful not to push yourself too hard either! If you do feel pain or discomfort while exercising or working out, stop immediately until the discomfort goes away. Then try again later at a lower intensity level.
Finally, after exercise it is important to allow your muscles time to relax before beginning again or else they may become stiffer than normal due to overexertion during activity. Percussion massagers can help you massage your muscle and promote blood circulation.
We hope these tips have given you some inspiration and ideas on how to set your own fitness goals. Remember that nobody is perfect, so don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go according to plan. Try to stay positive and keep focused on the big picture!
