Top tips to achieve your New Year’s fitness goals

New Year’s resolutions… we set them when enthusiasm, motivation and excitement levels are at an all-time high, but often, after a few weeks of hard work, those goals that were once so clear and obvious become a bit less so. Life gets in the way, motivation fades and we shrug and move on. Until the next January, when we make the same resolutions all over again.

Don’t beat yourself up if this sounds like you. Making lasting lifestyle changes is tough. Getting in shape, whatever that means for you, takes time and consistency.

If you want to make this the year that you really do stick to your New Year’s resolutions, have a read of these tips from Tom Walsh, personal trainer at Archers Fitness in Hitchin. Tom has worked at Archers for the last four years and in that time he has helped lots of clients achieve their fitness goals through motivation, nutritional advice and designing bespoke plans.

1. Set SMART goals that are achievable. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-based. SMART goals can help keep you on track and remind you of your priorities, so you’re able to follow through with every workout you have planned.

2. Focus on what you did, not what you failed on.

3. Change one habit at a time

4. Reward yourself for little victories and milestones.

5. Set short term and long goals.

6. Find the kind of exercise that is best for you such as workout classes or a sport.

7. Focus on the positives, don’t dwell on failure.

8. Remember, diet and nutrition is 85% of the battle of weight loss, so make healthy changes to your diet.

9. Exercise with a friend to encourage each other.

10. Have fun when exercising!

So what are you waiting for? Start your fitness journey now!