ad | Although I don’t buy into the “new year, new me” rubbish, I’m definitely one for a fresh start. Whether that’s a new week, a new month or a new year, I love that feeling of a fresh slate, where you can make healthy changes to your life and your routine.
With it being the turn of a new year, chances are, lots of people are starting new exercise regimes and programs. Many of us will have thought about our habits of old and want to change them for the coming 12 months.
Perhaps that’s eating more fruit and veg, taking up a new sport, investing more time in self care, joining a gym or cutting out alcohol.
The list of ways we can improve our health and well-being in the new year is endless and there’s always something we can do because the small changes often add up over the course of 12 months.
If you’re someone who is starting a new exercise regime this year, good for you! Or perhaps that was your goal and you’ve not started yet, you’re waiting for the right thing to come along, that’s excellent as well as the intention is there.
But hopefully to give you some guidance, here are some things you’ll need for this new exercise journey!
Starting a new exercise regime this year? Here’s what you’ll need!
An open mind
Yep, to start this exercise journey you’re going to need an open mind. Because it doesn’t always pan out how you expected. You might start a sport or an exercise you don’t enjoy or find yourself with a personal trainer you don’t get along with. These set backs are okay and nothing to get discouraged about, as long as you keep an open mind.
New workout attire
So no, you don’t NEED this. But I think investing in some new gym clothing is a great way to boost your confidence and make you keen to jump into your new exercise regime. Treat yourself to a new workout shirt or a few different gym shirts so you have variety and don’t get bored of your gym wear.
A plan
I think it’s important to go into any new intention with some sort of plan. No, it doesn’t have to be a 6 page document highlighting every aspect but a rough plan is a good idea to keep you motivated and on track. You might want to plan your workouts, your classes and how they fit into your week along with some goals along the way.
Some goals
Which brings me nicely onto this point – goals. You know you want to start a new exercise this year but what are your goals? Do you want to be able to lift a certain amount of weights? Do you want to be able to run 5k? 10k? A marathon? Do you want to drop a dress size for an upcoming event? Get a bit more specific about your goals.
An accountability partner
An accountability partner is a fantastic way to stay motivated throughout your exercise plan and to help you stay on track. This might be a friend that starts with you or a partner who you can confide in. Perhaps even an online pal who you can check in with once a week!
[…] on your run, so you’ll feel ready to go to sleep. If this is the year you decide to commit to an exercise regime, you will also enjoy the sleep health benefits along with the physical and mental improvements to […]
We do need a plan! Good post! 🙂
I am desperately trying to get back into running atm – it’s fallen off a cliff after completing the great north run, I’ve signed up again because I realise I need to have something to aim for 😂
Good luck!