by Dr Wasim Kabalan
There is no better time to begin your fitness journey than at the start of a new year. It is the perfect time to lose the few extra kilos put on over the Christmas break and improve wellbeing. Life is busy and we can get caught up in our day to day lives and lose focus over our fitness goals. Here are some tips to get you started on your 2022 fitness journey.
Have a plan
Sit down and set some goals that are realistic. Have a goal that you would like to achieve and set smaller targets that will help you get there. This will help keep you on track and by being able to measure progress, you will stay highly motivated. Sign up at the local gym and find exercises that you enjoy doing. This will be a good starting point in mapping out your journey to achieving your goals.
Consistency is key
Be consistent. If you set out to train Monday to Friday, make it part of your daily routine.
You could train before work, during your lunch break, or after work. If a day is missed, don’t let the wheels fall off, just be sure to make up for it by working extra hard at the next workout. Keep yourself accountable by keeping a journal of your goals, or having healthy competition with friends.
Reward for Hard Work
Having a meal plan and training plan can be exhausting after a while. It is important that when goals are achieved, you reward yourself. A once in a while ‘cheat meal’ where you can enjoy your favorite meal guilt free, knowing that you deserve it because of all the hard work you have put in. You can also be rewarded by buying something for yourself.
Don’t forget to have fun
Have fun and enjoy yourself whilst making the switch to a healthier lifestyle. It doesn’t have to be repetitive and boring. Try new things and spice up your workouts. You can join different classes once a week and try something new. It could be yoga, pilates, boxing, Zumba or a HIIT session. Bring a friend along so it is a positive social experience and they can see all the awesome progress you are making!
