Ways to Stay Fit in the New Year

Everyone wants to start the New Year with a new workout routine but finding the momentum to maintain an active lifestyle past February is a lot easier said than done. For many, the year starts off strong with strict diets and hard-core cardio routines but eventually old habits kick in and we’re back to our previous lifestyle.

woman lifting weights, woman working out, stay fit, staying fitIt’s important when beginning a new exercise routine to not burn out in the beginning. Many people feel a strong urge to transform their lives in the New Year and end up taking on too much too fast. Ashley Borden, a celebrity fitness expert, encourages her clients to break down their routines so they don’t become overwhelmed and unmotivated. She says, “Make a week-to-week plan so that fitness goals are attainable. I believe the buddy system is the best way to keep yourself accountable, especially if you’re struggling.”

If you’re a beginner starting a new workout routine, don’t try running five miles in one workout session. That is a fantastic way to create a bitter relationship with living an active lifestyle. When starting out, instead of trying to run a mile, try power walking it first. When you’ve gotten to a place where power walking is easy, add some speed by jogging or add some distance to stretch out your endurance. This slow and steady approach will be safer on your body and will help you get accustomed to your new, active lifestyle.

Finding the time to maintain a workout routine is another obstacle. It’s hard for some people to even find 30 minutes a day for hitting the gym. For women with limited time to work out, Borden says “I always recommend a full-body workout focusing on your biggest muscle groups to burn the most calories in an efficient period of time.” Circuit training is an excellent way to fit a full-body workout into a short amount of time.

One circuit routine that Borden recommends is a circuit of step ups followed by pushups, followed by dead lifts, followed by lat pull-downs. Repetitions of circuits like this one will help ensure a full-body workout.

Lastly, in the New Year, try to maintain a positive outlook on yourself. Borden says, “Stop talking so negatively about yourself. Negative speech manifests negative results.”