(ThyBlackMan.com) The annual influx of people to the nation’s health clubs is just days away! Millions of people will use the excitement of a New Year to get the body of their dreams. Unfortunately, many people will fail in their endeavor simply because they didn’t have a well-devised fitness program.
Estimates suggest that up to eighty-percent of the people you see in the gym at the beginning of January won’t be there by the end of January. Don’t let that be you!
Keep your fitness program on track by following these three simple keys: Get a plan, stick to your program and set a good pace.
Get a Plan
Most people fail in achieving their fitness objectives simply because they have no plan in place. So the first step in keeping your fitness on track is to get a plan. Make sure, though, it’s a plan that will work for you. Part of getting a plan is establishing goals. Write down what you want to achieve with your fitness plan. Is it just weight loss? If so, how many pounds do you want to drop and by when? Other questions may include whether you are going to develop your own program or work with a fitness professional; how many days per week you will workout and what changes you will need to make in your nutrition habits.
Be as specific as possible in establishing your plan. Don’t be afraid to consult with a fit pro in this step, many health clubs offer a free assessment for first-time members. Take advantage of that!
Stick to your Program
The next step in keeping your fitness program on track for the New Year is to stick to your program. By that I mean don’t give up when you do not see the results you were looking for. A lot of people give up on their fitness program within weeks of beginning it. Why? Unrealistic expectations. This goes back to developing a realistic plan at the beginning.
Sticking to your program, though, does not mean to be afraid of changing or tweaking it. Be prepared to make the necessary adjustments in your program if you don’t see results in a timely manner (usually four to six weeks a minimum). You may need to simply adjust the metrics of your cardio or weight-lifting schedule. For example, you may need to do less cardio and more weights or vice versa. Or, you may need to vary the resistance routine to include lighter weights and higher reps.
The bottom line: stick with the program but don’t be afraid to tinker with it.
Keep a Good Pace
The final key to keeping your fitness program on track for the New Year is to set your pace. I’ve seen it happen so many times: people go to the gym and go ballistic on the cardio and weights, sometimes working out two times a day and nearly starving themselves to death in the process. Don’t make that mistake!
Set a pace (which comes from having a good, solid plan) and don’t overdo it. Keep your calories at a corresponding level relative to your workout regimen. Starvation-dieting never works and it will kill you!
Don’t try to hit your targets in the first thirty days; it will leave you famished, uninspired and dejected that you weren’t able to achieve your fitness objectives.
Get a plan, stick with your program and keep a good pace to get fit in the New Year!
Staff Writer; W. Eric Croomes
This talented brother is a holistic lifestyle exercise expert and founder and executive coach of Infinite Strategies LLC, a multi-level coaching firm that develops and executes strategies for fitness training, youth achievement and lifestyle management. Eric is an author, fitness professional, holistic life coach and motivational speaker.
In October 2015, Eric released Life’s A Gym: Seven Fitness Principles to Get the Best of Both, which shows readers how to use exercise to attract a feeling of wellness, success and freedom (Infinite Strategies Coaching LLC, 2015) – http://www.infinitestrategiescoaching.com.
