It is that time of the year again. The New Year brings a fresh start to another 365 days ahead. People around the world make many different new year’s resolutions that they plan to achieve in the next year. Most people will normally include a health or fitness goal they wish to achieve in the upcoming year. Unfortunately, most people fail achieving their New Year’s resolutions because they start with unrealistic and unattainable goals. Here are some tips to help you get started and achieve your health and fitness New Year’s resolutions for 2021:
Make Realistic Goals
Be real with yourself. There is no point in lying to yourself because that will only end up in failure. Make realistic and achievable goals for you. Thinking about health and fitness goals can be easy but the hard part is doing the actual work to achieve those goals. You know yourself best and you should know what is reasonable and achievable. Try setting realistic smaller goals which are less intimidating and that will eventually add up to a greater longer lasting outcome.
Move More
As we move into 2021 for many people our home life and work life has merged into one. Most of us are sitting more and moving less. Our bodies were not made to sit all day at a computer and then sit on a couch when we are done work to watch Netflix and eat pizza. Unfortunately this lack of movement will lead to more chronic body pains and weight problems in the future. It is important to try being more active in your daily life. Set a daily step goal for yourself and aim for your best. The recommended number of daily steps is ten thousand steps. Go for a walk around the block or do a youtube workout. Whatever it is, move more.
Sleep Better
In 2021 we need to make sleep more a priority. Sleep is more important than you realize and affects every aspect of your life. If you don’t get enough sleep your performance at work, your mood, your weight and many other things will all be affected. Sleep not only affects energy levels but also affects your metabolism, helps reduce stress levels and can even put you in a better mood. Aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to really achieve all the benefits of sleep.
Drink More Water
You’ve probably heard over and over to drink more water but for some reason most people do not drink enough. This year try to ditch the sugary drinks including diet sodas and replace them with water. These sugary drinks are empty calories that do nothing for you except turn into sugar and then fat. If you currently over consume sugary drinks try cutting down the amount you are consuming and then remove altogether if possible. There are so many benefits to drinking more water including it boosts skin health, flushes body waste, and regulates body temperature. Make the clear choice.
Eat Better
This is the hardest one to achieve for most people. Personally, I strongly believe you can not outrun a bad diet but I also do not believe in diets. Eating better means being more mindful about what you are putting into your body and not restricting yourself of your guilty pleasures. It is very important to learn portion control, reading nutrition labels and reducing/eliminating processed foods if you want to achieve your health and fitness goals. Eating better does not necessarily mean eating less, it means eating the right foods.
Let's all put 2020 behind us and make 2021 your best year yet. Take charge of your health and try incorporating these tips to help you kickstart your health and fitness goals. Make it simple and don’t make unrealistic resolutions for this year because you will only feel defeated. Make small goals and knock them out of the park. I wish everybody a very healthy and happy 2021!
Stay Strong!