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3 Tips for Creating Sustainable Fitness Goals in 2023
It’s a new year and we all know what that means—most of the world sets New Year’s resolutions…and many of them revolve around fitness.
Don’t get us wrong—we are firm believers in setting fitness goals. The problem with making them part of an official resolution is that breaking our resolutions is just as much a part of the New Year tradition as setting them. How many times have you seen some version of this statement in your social media feed over the past few weeks:
I’m opening a new gym. It’s called “Resolutions”. It will have fitness equipment for the first two weeks, then turn into a bar for the rest of the year.
That’s why we are ditching resolutions and setting fitness goals that are sustainable—the kind of goals that help you build healthy, long-term fitness habits that will benefit you throughout 2023 and beyond.
If you’re unsure how to set sustainable goals, here are our top 3 tips:
Be realistic.
It’s easy to get carried away when we commit to improving our health. But saying you want to lose a certain number of pounds in a specific number of days sends you into that pass/fail mentality created when using resolutions. The same goes for gym attendance—swearing you’ll hit the gym every single day simply isn’t realistic.
Take honest stock of your current fitness level. If you currently aren’t working out, set a goal of adding healthy movement to your life 1 – 2 times a week, then build from there.
Find something you love…and do that.
Incorporating fitness into your routine is so much easier when you’re doing something you love. Perhaps you love the mind/body connection that comes from yoga practice. You might enjoy the social aspect of lifting weights in a gym filled with supportive staff and members (and we just happen to know of one you’ll love). And if you haven’t tried the global phenomenon known as pickleball that has teens working out with octogenarians, you might be surprised by the fantastic cardio workout you receive.
The point is, by picking up an activity you enjoy, you’re much more likely to make fitness a habit and a regular part of your weekly routine.
Let go of perfection.
Nothing in this life is perfect, friends. And that includes our fitness journey. There are going to be days when you just don’t feel up to going to the gym or attending barre class. And that’s ok.
You don’t have to do the thing you normally do. But try to do something. Maybe it’s just a walk in your neighborhood or a local park. Perhaps it’s a quiet meditation session. Do something that is good for you, then pick back up with your regular routine the next day.
There will no doubt be ups and downs as you pursue your goals of improved fitness…and that’s ok. That’s life. The key to achieving your goals is to stay on the road.
And keep moving forward. Keep progressing.
May your 2023 be filled with health and wellness!
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