5 Tips for Keeping Up 2018 Fitness Goals

While New Year’s has come and gone, that doesn’t mean your fitness resolutions need to as well. It can be hard to keep up fitness goals as we return to school and begin a new semester with all new routines. If you’re struggling to stay physically motivated, here are some tips to help you stay on track.

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1. Strategically Schedule Your Workouts

If you are anything like me, at the beginning of the New Year you had time off from school and a lot more motivation to work out. This is because when we aren’t in school, there is hardly anything draining our willpower. Doing inactive tasks throughout the day such as sitting in class, homework, or working a part-time job can make it a lot harder to hit the gym. Since the new semester has begun and you have a better idea of what your new day-to-day routine looks like, try blocking off two to three times a week for a couple hours on days you don’t have a lot going on. If you have set times to exercise every week on less busy days or before a busy day begins, you will have a much more enjoyable and effective workout.

This semester, I don’t have classes on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I’m on campus and in classes from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Since I am so busy on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I never exercise those days. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I am usually getting my schoolwork done, but because I don’t have to be on campus at a specific time, I schedule my workouts on those mornings. I wake up moderately early, get my workouts done and then head to campus energized!

2. Mix Up Your Routine

One of the biggest traps new gym-goers can fall into is the same workout routine. The gym can be an intimidating place and if you’re not used to it, sticking to a workout you’re comfortable with will help keep you motivated for a short period of time. However, I guarantee that after doing relatively the same workout two to three times a week for three weeks, you will be burnt out and bored. It’s also not good to only exercise the same muscle groups over and over. According to exercise physiologist Dan Hutchinson, when you exercise, you create tiny tears in the muscle fibers you are working. When you have finished working out, your body then sends “satellite cells” to repair these muscles. If you overwork a particular muscle, it will never have time to fully recover and grow. Therefore, in order to keep yourself motivated and see results, it’s important to mix up what you do at the gym.

My favorite way to mix up my workouts is by going to different group exercise classes. I personally find weight lifting too time-consuming for my schedule, therefore I enjoy fast-paced classes taught by an instructor. I usually attend one yoga, one spin and one sculpting class a week! However, if I am unable to attend my favorite group fitness classes I will make up for it by running on the track and then doing an abdominal workout along with lifting weights or doing squats.

3. Check Out Your University’s Recreation Center

If you’re looking to mix up your workout routine, try checking out your University’s recreation center. Many schools provide its students with a gym that’s included in tuition. At your University’s recreation center, it’s common to have access to sports areas, fitness classes, trainers and equipment. If you’re unfamiliar with what your school has to offer, try looking online or touring the recreation center. I am fortunate to go to a school that provides its students with top-notch resources. I would have never reached the fitness level I have if it weren’t for our recreation center!

4. Work Out With Friends

One of the most effective ways I have found to stay motivated is scheduling workouts with friends. Not only are you accompanied during your workout, but there is also someone to keep you on track. That being said, make sure to plan workouts with friends who will hold you accountable! If your friend is going to agree with you when you suggest canceling workout plans, try making plans with someone who won’t. It’s easy to succumb to peer pressure, but if you have someone there to keep you going, there’s a higher chance you will stick to your workout schedule.

5. Treat Yo’ Self

While it is important to stick to a fitness routine, it’s also important to reward yourself and not stress if you miss a workout. Health is wealth so if you’re not feeling 100% or need a day to relax, take a day off. Results don’t happen overnight, so don’t stress yourself with hitting the gym every day and cutting out all junk food. Exercising has so many benefits besides physical appearances, so work out when it works for you and enjoy life!