You’ve committed to making a New Year’s Resolution. That’s the easy part. The tricky part is following through, and staying committed when the excitement of the holiday season is just a distant memory. The unfortunate truth is, that of all the people

who make a New Year’s Resolution, only 20 percent stick with it all year. Here are some tips to help you to achieve your fitness-related resolution.

Take your time
You don’t want to burn yourself out, so don’t try to do everything at once. It’s okay to start slow. Don’t force yourself to spend two hours at the gym every day, when you’ve never even been on a treadmill before— that’s a quick way to intimidate yourself right out of your resolution. Start by going twice a week for 30 minutes, and work your way up from there. And, don’t become frustrated if it takes a while to get used to such a dramatic lifestyle change– most experts agree that it takes about 21 days to create a habit, and six months for it to actually become a regular part of your daily life.

Monitor improvements with more than just the scale
Remember that muscle weighs more than fat. Pay attention to how you look and feel, rather than focusing on the number on the scale. Get your body fat tested regularly, and pay attention to improvements in your strength and cardiovascular fitness. Are you noticing it takes longer to grow out of breath on the treadmill? Did you increase the weight on the leg press? And, take notice of how your clothes fit—it’s possible that even if your weight is maintained, your jeans could feel looser. These are some more pertinent ways to monitor your success.

Increase your enjoyment level
What sounds like more fun: spending an hour at the gym, or a day at the ski hill? If you say the ski hill, you’re not alone. That’s why it’s a good idea to combine the gym and outdoor activities to increase your enjoyment level, and make fitness feel like less of a chore. Take advantage of the winter months by going skiing, snowshoeing or ice skating. If it’s above zero and dry, go for an afternoon hike. And as the temperature starts to rise, try tennis, climb a mountain, or spend an afternoon kayaking. There are plenty of fun, active activities you can take part in to supplement your time at the gym.

If you would like a personal trainer in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond or North Vancouver call 604-420-7800. We are here to help you lose weight, increase your strength, and achieve all of your fitness goals!