Whether you’re a lifelong fitness fan or a couch potato looking to make a lifestyle change, the beginning of the year is the perfect time to embark on a fitness journey. While there are many benefits to starting this journey early on in a new year, it can also be slightly challenging to stay committed and motivated as the months march on. Here are four simple ways to keep those motivational levels up in 2024.
Set monthly goals
Setting specific goals for yourself every month is an excellent way to ensure you stay on track. The trick is to keep these goals realistic and remember that slow progress is still progress. It’s easy to be a little overly ambitious at the beginning of the year, but consistency is key when it comes to fitness. For instance, you won’t suddenly be able to run a marathon after neglecting your running for years, but you could slowly work towards running a 5k. It’s also always a good idea to keep some form of documentation of your progress, this will keep you motivated on the days when you just aren’t feeling it.
READ MORE: 4 Ways to Keep Your New Year’s Fitness Resolutions
Celebrate your wins
Once you’ve accomplished your realistic monthly goal, it’s important to take a moment to celebrate the win. Big or small, a win’s a win. Whether you celebrate by doing a little happy dance, treating yourself to a nice relaxing evening, or finally buying yourself that item you’ve had your eye on for a while. It doesn’t have to be a big celebration, but it’s a good idea to celebrate. Maybe you could promise yourself some bigger “prizes” for those really impressive milestones.
Change it up
Let’s face it, in the long run, fitness can get a little monotonous and, when you’re bored, you’re more likely to throw in the sweat towel. Keep things fresh by constantly updating your workout routine; try rotating your target areas, switching up your activities, or even signing up for a different fitness class. This is also beneficial for your body as you ensure you don’t overtrain in one area. It’s important to find what works for you, though. If you’re someone who doesn’t love change, maybe you could look at having two set programmes that you switch around on a bi-weekly basis.
READ MORE: How To Sustain Your Wellness Goals in 2023
Switch up your pre-and post-workout nutrition
Switching out your pre–and post–workout nutrition is something to consider if you’re looking to up those motivation levels in 2024. Giving your body the right nutrients is critical, but drinking the same protein shake every day can become somewhat uninspiring. You could try out different flavours over a few months and rotate your favourites from there. You could even switch a shake for a high-protein iced coffee if you’re feeling fancy. Another option could be to play around with recipes that turn your shake into a snack or opt for a post–workout protein bar instead of a shake on some days. Do some research and decide what’ll be best for you and your body.
READ MORE: How to Eat Healthily on a Budget
At the end of the day, you know what will work best for you. Even if it takes some trial and error, it’s important to believe in yourself. Confidence is a great motivator.
