Getting Back on Track in 2021

Posted Feb 2, 2021
We have made it through the first month of 2021. We at WK Fitness & Wellness Centers hope it is going in the right direction for you. If not, here are some pointers to help you get back on track. To be successful in the New Year, stay focused, develop a positive attitude, and be passionate with your dreams. We tend to view January 1 as our only "start day" instead of realizing that every single day offers us a new beginning.

Here are some ideas to help make your year move in the right direction.
  1. Start smart. Instead of saying you will lose 50 pounds by the year's end, commit to being more active today than you were yesterday. Depending on your fitness level, this will look different for everyone. The goal is to build up a new habit little by little until it becomes second nature.
  2. Forgive yourself.
    If you do not accomplish what you wanted or needed for today, don't spend unnecessary energy dwelling on it. When you are trying to form a new habit, it pays to be consistent.
  3. Celebrate small wins.
    When you complete that first walk around the block or walk on the treadmill for the first time, give yourself a high-five. After walking  1 mile outside or  walking 30 minutes  on the treadmill, treat yourself to a new pair of walking shoes (if your shoes are worn.)  If you are a beginner and want to start walking on a regular basis, you will need a good pair of walking shoes that will give your feet some good support.  Keep your reward in line with the accomplishment. Do not reward yourself with a Twinkie if your goal is to get in shape!
  4. Remember your reasons.
    When resolving to make a change for the better, it is important for you to remember your "Why." If your goal is to lose weight, your list of "whys" may include losing weight to have knee surgery, have more energy, look nice in your new outfit, or to decrease your medicine. Remember your "Why" will help keep you encouraged to stay on the course to healthier living.
  5. Let each day be a new beginning towards the life you imagine yourself living.
    Let each day be January 1. Remember what you did yesterday, think about how to increase or improve, and make yourself feel better today than yesterday. There is always room for improvement. You can only work on today and imagine what tomorrow can bring.
  6. Exercise.
    Start by taking little steps every day to make yourself healthier. Try an evening walk. Instead of eating fried chicken for supper, have grilled chicken. Have veggies instead of chips. Make small changes at first if you are new to exercising. Small adjustments, not drastic changes, are more likely to lead to sustained progress. For example, walking down to the corner or 15 minutes on the treadmill is more practical for a beginner to commit to than an hour of an intense aerobic class. The victory you achieve with small goals can encourage you to reach for bigger ones. Little steps are less likely to cause injuries. They also make it easier to gauge what works and doesn't work for you.
Every day is not going to be perfect, so take each day as it comes. If you did not walk as far as you had planned or you could only do eight reps instead of twelve, be thankful of what you did accomplish. Remember why you are exercising or what the goal is that you are trying to reach. Every day is a new day to have a reset and try to accomplish more today than you did yesterday. Focus on yourself while you are exercising. Try not to think about work, the clothes in the dryer, or how much homework the children have to do tonight. Listen to some music while you are exercising. It will help you relax and not think about the rest of the day. Just focus on the present and your getting in better shape with each step you take while walking on the treadmill, with each bicep curl that you complete, or on the fact that you were able to complete the entire water aerobics class today. Start this new year with a new exercise routine and a new you. The fitness instructors at the WK Fitness & Wellness Centers are ready and willing to help you begin an exercise program or adjust the routine you have been doing for a while.