Actually Sticking to your New Years Resolution of Working Out

It’s the same old bs every single year–“Yeah, I’m gonna start going to the gym more.” And the gym finally evens out to it’s normal count by February. Despite common belief, you don’t have to turn into an all-out gym rat to work out

According to Credit Donkey (Who actually has great sources), “80 percent who joined a gym in January 2012 quit within five months.” and “4 percent of new gym goers don’t even make it past the end of January and 14 percent drop out in February.”

Do you want to be a lame statistic or make it past a few days?

(This link to my old post of SMART goal setting is relevant to this post and they really should be used in tandem.)

After you write out your goal(s) using the SMART goal setting strategy, use these tips to make your dream a reality:

1. Buy your own membership to the gym of your choice. Don’t rely on using somebody else’s free-guest-pass-thing to tag along. [financial responsibility and friend excuses] 
   • You’ll use the free pass as an excuse not to go–“Oh, I’m not losing any money so it’s fine.”
   • You’ll use it as an excuse not to go again—“I can only use Emmie’s guest pass with her and she’s not going today.”
   • You’ll use it as an excuse to not go again again—“What if Emmie wants to bring Janel and I’m being a burden?”
   • Buying your own gym membership will give you the freedom and flexibility to go when you choose, not when your buddy chooses, and will hold you financially responsible to use what you’re paying for.
     • If possible, buy a membership that’s annual or in blocked months so that you’ll feel obligated to go at least for that time period and not fall into the month-to-month-oh-I-can-cancel-it-at-the-end-of-the-month trap.
       • You’re going to feel pretty bad seeing a charge to your bank account for something that you don’t even use… Like one of those bank maintenance fees.
   • If you’re at a college and get the gym “for free”, you pay for it with your tuition. 
2. Find a style of working out that you actually like. You don’t have to use machines at the gym–that’s not your only option. You need to enjoy what you’re doing to rationalize going to work out. You can’t do what your friend is doing just because you don’t want to be alone. You can’t do what’s all over Instagram if you really don’t think it works.
   • Here’s a list of work outs you might not think about:
     • Water aerobics
     • Swimming laps
     • Running at a track
     • Being instructed by a personal trainer
     • Basketball
       • Conditioning, games (intramural, fun)
     • Volleyball
       • Conditioning, games (intramural, fun)
     • Yoga
       • SANNYSIS Rainbow Beach Mat Mandala Blanket Wall Hanging Tapestry Stripe Towel Yoga 75cm150cm
         • 

1. • • • Class, workshop, alone
2. If you want to, get into the gym-lifestyle so you feel like working out is a part of your life (fake it till you make it?)
   • Apparel is more important than you think. If people think you’re a gym-freak, you’re more likely to become it (psych fact). Rep the lifestyle. Monetary investment is important.
     • • • Buy that stupid shirt you want that says, “I’m dating a new guy named GYM”
         • Invest in those cute workout leggings you always see online
           • SOUTEAM Womens Yoga Leggings with Pocket Lightweight Fitness Pants, Watercolor Black, Medium

         

     

     • Get new Nike Roshes
       Nike Women’s Roshe One Flyknit Laser Orange/Bright Mango/Sail Running Shoe 8.5 Women US

1. • Drink more water
     • • This makes me want to work out tbh
       • You also need to drink more water if you are working out
       • Get an… inspirational… water bottle!
         • 2018 Fitness Bottle – Drink Your Effing Water

1. • Shop at health-food stores like Whole Foods or the farmer’s market
     • Doesn’t it make you feel healthy?

---

Well, that’s all I have for now!

Feel free (or expensive) to drop your comments below and tell me what tips you have!