It’s the start of a new year, your motivation is high, and you are ready to use fitness as a catalyst to empower yourself. However, you’ve been here before and as the initial dopamine release of “new year, new me” starts to fade, old habits begin to resurface. Your inner monologue and negative thoughts bubble to the surface, and soon, your lofty fitness ambitions are a thing of the past. Let’s allow 2023 to be a different era where you step (pun intended) into your power and let go of limiting beliefs. Unleash yourself from the self-sabotaging mindset that’s been holding you back from accomplishing your health goals. Fitness is your fuel – allow this to be your guide.
Keep a Fitness Journal to Track Progress
Everyone, even the fitness influencers you idolize, start somewhere. Don’t compare your day one to their year five. Keep track of your progress and small wins. This is an imperative step in your fitness journey, as it will boost your confidence and morale – especially on the hardest days. When you get familiar with looking at your body, you might not notice changes that are happening. But, when you stick to an impactful gym regimen, these tiny gains will turn into more recognizable results in only a few months’ time. Track your progress in a fitness journal; looking back on past logs will incentivize you when seeing how far you’ve come. Your hard work, diligence, and persistence deserve to be celebrated.
Practice a Mindful Mental Health Routine
In order to be the best version of yourself physically, you’ll also need to prioritize your mental well-being. If you’re feeling sluggish, fatigued, sad, and overall pessimistic, the likelihood of making your way to the gym is pretty slim. With motivation at an all-time low, physical goals will slip and a negative cycle could begin. According to Harvard Health Publishing, exercise has been shown to be an all-natural depression treatment. But, if you’re in a rut, aren’t sleeping well, and have been feeling empty, the last thing you’re likely in the mood to do is exercise. You may be experiencing signs of depression, and this negative cycle can greatly affect your fitness dreams. In order to stay on track – in and out of the gym – it’s imperative you seek professional help to alleviate the discomfort that is inhibiting your success. Gaining mental clarity will not only have a deeply profound effect on your ability to reach your physical goals but even exceed them.
Practice a Mindful Mental Health Routine
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Monotonous gym schedules can become the bane of your existence if you don’t incorporate a variety of activities into your routine. In order to preempt boredom, an alternative gym regimen should be utilized to keep the thrill alive. Enrolling in virtual races through yes.fit is a great way to kick a lack of motivation to the curb. Our pre-set races allow you to go at your own pace, virtually travel the world, and connect with other users to keep morale high. If races don’t excite you, there are a variety of other group classes and challenges designed to help you reach your goals. The guidance of the yes.fit trained professionals, the rapport you develop with other members, and the connections you build with like-minded individuals who are on a path to be the best version of themselves will help propel you towards success. Don’t be afraid to embark into new territory; test out the waters and try new things. You’ll be grateful for the experience.
Indulge in Retail Therapy
You’ve been hitting the gym and dedicating yourself to staying consistent, so it’s time to reward yourself with some retail therapy. It’s important to seek balance while working towards unveiling the healthiest, fittest you. Rest days are an important part of a balanced gym routine, so why not invest in pieces that show off your progress? You might be surprised at how much a suave new workout set can boost your confidence while lifting, running (or doing whatever suits your fancy.) Girlfriend Collective is a great place to shop for high-performance exercise wear; their apparel is durable, made to last, and ethically made. So purchase some new gear and wear it with pride – you’ll be eager to don these threads for your next hard-hitting workout.
Investing in a fitness routine is a winding journey, full of ebbs and flows. It’s a big commitment, not an overnight process that yields instant results. Prepare to be dedicated to the process. Stick to a routine (even when motivation dips) and embrace the challenge. In doing so, you may just uncover the most physically strong, mentally powerful version of yourself.