New year, new you!
After 2020, I’m sure we’re all wary of such declarations going into 2021. If you’re like me, you’re approaching the new year with cautious optimism. Of course, 2021 as a date on the calendar by itself won’t change you or the world.
We change as a result of our actions.
And, with the right actions, this year could be the year that everything changes. I know — that sounds a little cheesy, but it’s true! Many of us are going into the year with goals related to our health and fitness. These are some of the best changes to make not just for your day-to-day life, but for decades to come.
Prioritizing health and fitness is not just about losing weight and looking good. It’s about feeling good and safeguarding your physical and mental health in the long run so that you can do everything that you want to do in your life: travel, be active, play with the grandkids, and live a long and fulfilling life.
New years resolutions, though, have a reputation for failing. Rest assured, it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are my top tips for helping your health and fitness goals for the year stick.
4 Strategies that Make Your Health & Fitness Resolutions Last
1) Prioritize Stress Management
I’ve discussed at length on this blog the impact of stress on health and well-being. Long-term stress can be catastrophic to our health as it strains the heart and increases the risk of illness and disease. And let’s be honest — 2020 was a particularly stressful year and that stress didn’t end when the clock struck midnight. Thankfully, exercise and physical activity is shown to reduce stress.
Many people report that they tend to eat more poorly when stressed, seeking out high-fat, high-calorie foods. There’s a double-whammy because our bodies also tend to hold on to fat in times of stress. Stress influences our eating habits and makes that donut, that bag of chips, or the fast-food run all the more tempting.
In short, stress will sabotage your health and fitness efforts! Make sure you’re dealing with your stress in healthy ways, like rest, exercise, mindfulness, and relaxation.
2) Eliminate Opportunities to Fail
Don’t self-sabotage. You can eliminate opportunities to stumble on your health and wellness journey by refusing to present yourself with temptations. Don’t buy junk food. Pick up healthy snack alternatives instead! Use smaller plates when eating to control portions when your eyes are tempted to be bigger than your stomach.
Don’t shop for food when you’re compromised — hungry, stressed, or sad. You’ll be more prone to reach for fast, feel-good foods rather than those that are nutritionally beneficial.
If you don’t bring unhealthy foods into your home, you are less likely to eat them. Simple! Meal prepping can also benefit you, as it eliminates the impulse to go out to eat when there’s “nothing” at home or when you’re too tired to make a worthwhile meal.
The more you can cut these temptations off, the more successful you will be.
3) Be Kind to Yourself
Listen — no one follows a new years’ resolution perfectly. They just don’t. It takes time and an enormous amount of effort to change old habits and replace them with new ones. You’re going to mess up. You’re going to have some subpar performance.
Here’s my encouragement: be kind to yourself. Hold yourself to a high standard, but don’t write it all off when you make one mistake, either. Dust yourself off and get back on track with each choice to come.
4) Evaluate Your Motivations
So much of your success in a new years’ resolution comes down to your reason: your motivation. Some motivations are more superficial than others, and thus, they won’t last you in the long-term.
I’ve used this example before, but think about the goal of getting fit. Is it because you want to look good for swimsuit season, or because you want to be able to maximize your mobility and health for the sake of your family? Is it for vanity or to increase the quality of your life?
Examine what your real motivations are for making change. Sometimes we need to have a scare or some kind of breaking point to understand why change is important. I hope it never comes to that!
Instead, I hope that you can see the big picture — the things that spur you on to success. Not because it’s a new year, but because you truly need a new you.
What are your resolutions for 2021? Share in the comments!