As the new year rolls around, you’ll see everyone back at the gym. After 2-3 weeks, all of those gym rats will go back into their caves and disappear again. They were highly motivated at the beginning, but they started off too strong, didn’t find the right challenge, and don’t have anyone to keep them moving forward. This year, give yourself a winning fitness routine that you’ll want to stick to.

1. Try Out New Things: When people think of exercise, they immediately think of pain and punishment. Exercising shouldn’t be a chore. You should look forward to it, and enjoy how you exercise. If it’s confusing, embarrassing, or overall not enjoyable, then try something else. Some people like to run, while others like to swim. Some people like to play intramural sports with a team, like soccer, volleyball, or tennis. Some people enjoy lifting weights or doing classes like Zumba. Before you knock it, give it a try to see if it’s the right fit for you.
2. Find The “Right Challenge” for You: Once you find ‘your thing,’ figure out what the right amount of challenge is for you. If you are starting out brand new, then you need to begin slowly and gradually ramp it up. Big results happen with consistent work over a period of time. You can’t expect to see big change with only a few really tough workouts. If you’re running, start off by doing a mile every other day. They go to a mile a day, and then a mile and a half, and so on. Stay consistent and gradually increase your intensity for the best results.
3. Find A Workout Buddy: Accountability buddies help keep us on track. It’s not easy to find the right person. You want it to be somebody who is working out alongside you and has similar schedules and goals. Send each other messages of motivation to encourage one another. Set up appointment times so that you both stick to the routine. You don’t want to let your workout buddy down by leaving them hanging.
4. Make it A Habit: Do it several days in a row to create a habit out of it. Block out 30 minutes every morning for your workout routine. Wake up, and hop to it without thinking about it. The more you think, the less you’ll do. Making a habit out of it will make you start to crave it when you miss it. Your body will become adjusted to the exercise and let you know when it’s time to get moving.
5. Track Your Results: Write down your goals and accomplishments. Track your running time and distance to see how fast you can complete a mile. After a month of training, look back to see your old time and compare it to the new time. With some patience and consistency, you’ll be able to see big changes. This is great for keeping you motivated to see even more change.
6. Have Fun With It: Have a good time while you exercise. You’ll want to get out of bed and go see your friends while you get your sweat on. Make it something you enjoy and not something you dread. Give yourself small rewards for hitting goal markers. It’s about overall health and not beating yourself up.

As long as you’re having fun and moving, you’re doing exercise right. Find out what works best for you, and stick to it. As the months and years go by, you can switch it and try something new to give yourself new challenges. Keep your heart, mind, and body healthy with good foods and consistent exercise everyday.