Tips For Setting Realistic Fitness Goals In 2019

21 March 2019

It's that time of year again. Christmas has been and gone, and the diet went well and truly out the window. Perhaps you've snaffled the last Terry's Chocolate Orange, and now you feel like a pig in a blanket. However, resist hitting the panic button just yet...

You might feel like you're the only person who has gone a bit mad in the fridge over Christmas, but you're not. It could even be deemed bizarre for you not to overeat at Christmas. Who thinks about their health in the final month of the year when we are encouraged to eat chocolate from day one?

Besides, it won't take long for you to get back on the wagon of healthy eating. We've put together some tips on how to get fit realistically in the New Year. Read on to find out how you can gain fitness and hopefully maintain it in 2019…

Remain realistic!

As much as we would like it, no-one is going to achieve a flat tummy or a six-pack in a week. Start off with small steps. That could mean literally taking a few extra steps here and there every day.

For example, get off the bus a few stops early and walk – or, instead of hopping into your car to drive half a mile to the local stop, just walk it. You'll save on fuel and burn calories.

If you've been lucky enough to receive a Fitbit over Christmas, use it to keep track of your steps. You can burn 500 calories by taking 10,000 steps a day. If you're following a healthy diet plan, you could burn 3,500 calories per week – equivalent to a pound of fat.

Think about what you want in the long run

Fitness isn't just for New Year, it's for life. Sit down (or, ideally, go for a walk) and think about what you really want and how you're going to achieve it. This will put you into a mindset of accepting that your fitness will be gradual and long-term, rather than quick and short-lived.

Talk about your plan

If you talk about your fitness plans with friends and family, you're more likely to stick to them. As well as receiving valuable encouragement, you can keep yourself motivated with the knowledge that your fitness goals are out in the open now – they are real.

Allow yourself treats

Cutting out something entirely from your diet is never a good idea. Satisfy your cravings with a modest amount of treats. The lack of something you enjoy in your diet will only make you crave it more, which could lead to a counter-productive binge.

Work out at home

Don't succumb to the pressure to buy an overpriced gym membership. Gymnasiums can be daunting and can throw you off plan easily. If you hate the thought of going into a public gym, there are plenty of exercise DVDs you can follow at home.

Meanwhile, equipment like inflatable exercise balls can be convenient, sturdy and inexpensive. There are plenty of online tutorials, too – many from celebrities and fitness experts. When do you want to book a holiday, you could choose from various weight loss holidays for both fun and results!