5 ways to achieve your fitness goals in 2017

fitness goals man stretching

As one year comes to an end and a new one approaches, we experience a whirlpool of emotions and an unparalleled motivation towards self-improvement. Being a spirited soul, you want the New Yearto be the best year of your life, your life’s dreams seem well within your grasp and you’re willing to make all the changes required to turn those dreams into reality.

This vigor lures millions across the world to set new year’s fitness goalsthat most often than not take only a few months to be abandoned,leaving you wondering why you spent so much onthose new running shoes or that home gym.

Ever wondered why those New Year’s workout plans keepfailing every year? The reason is simple-we are not motivated enough to repeatedly do something ‘we don’t really want to do’.However, the good news is that there are a number of strategies that can help you stayfocused and help you achieve your body goals in 2017. Five of the most effective ways have been outlined below:

  1. Invest time in setting your goals

It is crucial that you identify the underlying motive behind your body goals. For instance, try to figure out why you want to look better or become healthier because it will be that very motive which will fuel your fitness efforts even on the days you will feel demotivated.

Once you deduce the motivating force, decide your ultimate body aim for 2017 and jot down ways to achieve it. This might soundquite simple, however, this is the phase where most fitness plans start going downhill.

If you truly wish to attain your targets, you need to go beyond those stereotypical connotations of what a body aim is and how it is achieved. For example, you should avoid generic goals like shedding or gaining weight.Instead, go for specific and realistic goals like losing 7 kgs by the yearend or putting on 10 kgs in six months.

Once you’ve identified your aim, divide it into monthly or quarterly milestones as they will help you evaluate your progress, modify your fitness plan if need arises and keep you motivated. Then, translate these milestones into specific activities that you need to perform on a weekly basis such as going to the gym for an hour three times a week.

Moreover, for optimum results, try to combine physical exercises with a balanced diet to lead an all day health and fitness. Lastly, it will be a great idea to write down your fitness plan because research has proven that written goals have higher chances of being fulfilled.

  1. Streamline your diet
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Whether you’re planning to lose weight or put it on, it is important that you maintain your health and look attractive something  that can only be done with the help of a balanced diet. To start eating healthy, you need to first analyze your current food intake and calculate its macronutrient value.

Next, you need to tweak your diet by avoiding unhealthy foods like sugars and saturated fat and incorporate foods that are in line with your specific goals because foods such as these could increase the risk of  a possible Crohn’s disease which is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. For example, if you want to gain a few kilos,opt for foods that offer a generous amount of protein, nutrients and healthy fats.

On the other hand, if you want to burn fat, you should make low-fat, low-calorie and low-carb foods like lean meats, vegetables, nuts and fruits. Moreover, those who are self-conscious can choose foods rich in antioxidants that have anti-aging benefits and are capable of boosting biological processes like immunity, circulation and metabolism among others.

The crucial thing to remember here is that the key to making any diet work is following it through with consistency. Additionally, if you feel like you don’t get enough time to cook meals everyday, make sure to opt for supplements that will safely fulfill your daily dietary requirements and keep you on a steady track towards reaching your aims.

  1. Avoid following a strict routine

Forcing yourself to abide by a fixed workout routine or a monotonous diet will eventually lead to boredom and it will get harder to stick to this. Try doing things differently than you normally would.

You can come up with an array of delectable dishes to switch between and divide your workout regime into phases whereby you stimulate different regions of the body everyday. For instance, you can do cardio one day, flexibility exercises on the next and strength training on the third.

Doing so will not only prevent you from getting bored but will also facilitate the attainment of your body goals by giving you a chance to perform a more detailed workout that will have maximum effect.

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Also, you can try out new things that are in line with your goals and will work to preserve your interest and dedication such as attending a class at your local gym, partaking in a marathon or buying a new workout DVD.

  1. Get yourself a workout partner

Having a workout buddy is extremely effective in giving you that much needed nudge towards your fitness goals. Firstly, it instills a sense of accountability that is missing in solo workouts.

Simply put, you might not feel like working out on a certain day but you won’t be able to do so when a friend will be counting on you. Secondly, it brings about a friendly competition that will keep you on your toes and motivate you to go the extra mile in pursuit of your aims.

Thirdly, it can make the workouts more fun and exciting, allowing the two of you to indulge in one-on-one outdoor games or you could just teach each other new exercises and regimes to stay fit every week.

  1. Be prepared for setbacks

Modifying the human body is a long and hard process, therefore, it is but natural to dwindle somewhere along the way. This is particularly true for the initial months when you are adjusting to a new routine and other engagements are testing your commitment to your goals.

So, try to avoid self-loathing or getting bogged down because it will reduce your drive and make your goals seem tougher than they really are. Should you face setbacks, try to make up for lost time by picking up the pace for a few days/ weeks or start off slow and then gradually work your way up to your milestones.

The moment you decide to change your body for the better, you embark on a journey that will prove its worth with each passing day by allowing you to feel happier, healthier and more attractive. Just make use of these simple tips and you should remain on track and realize your body goals like never before.

AUTHOR BIO

ABOUT AlyciaGordan

fitness goals alycia gordonAlycia Gordan is a freelance writer. She loves to read and write article related to health and lifestyle, sometime on health-tech as well.  She is crazy about chocolates and you can find her on Twitter: @meetalycia