“New year, new me!” – a staple saying people often refer to when kickstarting the New Year with lofty goals. From drinking more water, eating healthier, to getting more involved with the community, this time of year is known for good intentions. And the genre of resolutions that always seems to find its way back to the top of everyone’s list is fitness, but it’s rarely about maintaining what’s been accomplished from the previous year. Instead, it’s about getting back on track or starting from scratch, and that can get a bit old.
Rather than falling into the usual rut of tiring out or giving up, this year, commit to your goals and stay committed to them using the following tips from seasoned XPRO’s with Xponential+.
When starting your fitness journey, it’s crucial to commit to it genuinely. Working out 1x per week isn’t going to significantly affect the body’s stress tolerance, muscle strength, and stamina. To see improvement in those areas, it’s necessary to exercise at least 2-3x per week.
“This tiny amount of positive stress on your body builds strength and stamina so that you begin to see results while also allowing your body to adjust to the changes,” says XPRO Jess Hiestand.
It’s pretty simple – the more you work out, the better you feel. That feeling can be attributed to the endorphin release you experience from exercise. If you work out 4-5x per week, you’re bound to feel better than you would if you worked out 1-2x per week. If you’re looking to feel more alive in the morning, exercise before work, and if you need something to get out of your afternoon slump, exercise after work. As you get more familiar with the mental benefits of exercise, you’ll appreciate them and want to experience them more.
Everyone has their go-to daily routine full of “to-dos” that keep them busy. So, the idea of adding a workout to the schedule seems out of the question. How do you fix that problem? Sit down, review your calendar, and make the time. You must choose to make time.
As you plan your week, decide what things must be your top priority and add them to your schedule. Once you’re done doing that, slot in a workout where you have free time – whether it’s 20 minutes or an hour. If you plan far enough in advance, you could even sign up for group fitness classes, so you feel extra committed! XPLUS even has scheduled live-streamed workouts you can do from home.
“Time to rest and recover is essential to any fitness routine,” says XPRO Elisei Rusu. “But if you’re like most people, the lack of these two things is what’s sabotaged your previous attempts to achieve your fitness goals.”
Since exercise is a form of stress and additional exertion for the body, it needs more sleep, appropriate nutrients, and “TLC” to find equilibrium.
As part of your 2022 fitness resolutions, prioritize adding rest and a recovery routine to your week, perhaps with a program like StretchLab or YogaSix on XPLUS. Shoot for at least 8 hours of sleep per night, drink lots and lots of water, eat nutrient-dense foods, stretch, and more – whatever it takes to help your body continue down a path of holistic growth.
Some people love to watch TV, read a book, or show their love for America's prized grub – cheeseburgers, IPAs, and anything that will likely clog your arteries. Others like to go for morning walks, shop at the local farmer's market, and can't wait to hit the gym every day. If you want to stick to your fitness resolutions, spending more time with the latter type is probably best.
“Find someone who has the same goals and is trying to live the same lifestyle as you,” says XPRO Shantani Moore. “Together you feel motivated to eat healthily and always show up for the gym or online class when you said you would.”
You'll also look forward to it more since you're not alone in the process. To help achieve this goal, XPLUS connects you with a digital community of like-minded people all over the world. You can join workout challenges, live leaderboards, and friendly fitness competitions to keep you motivated on your fitness journey in 2022 and beyond.