Embarking on a new fitness routine can be daunting, there is not doubt about with so many options of how to reach goals how can one possibly know which is right. Here is a little secret, it is not about which method is right for everyone but what is right for you. By ‘right’ I mean; does it work, does it fit into your lifestyle and most importantly do you enjoy it? Leading into a new year, fresh fitness goals are set, commitments are made, gym memberships are bought and excitement is sky high. It is what happens a few months down the track that will really shape your journey – when you are feeling tired, the initial excitement fades and no one remembers those new year resolutions, are you going to quit or are you going to keeping growing, reaching and exceeding goals and enjoy your health, wellness and fitness?

To keep that initial excitement two or three months down the track into your fitness journey can be tough, you lose interest, momentum and that day off the gym turns into a week off and then a month off and before you know it another year has past and you are still no closer to achieving your goals. From experience, it does not have to be like that. Whether you choose to join a gym, a studio, a fitness group or decide to utilise your local parks, beaches and reserves as your workout space, your approach to achieve your goals is shaped by you and how you continue to work to achieve your goals.

Importantly, embarking on a new journey isn’t something that you should do blindly or alone. Use the people and resources around you to build your knowledge, keep the motivation strong, meet new people and have fun along the way (otherwise what is the point?). If you are the type of individual who loses motivation to get to the gym or go for that walk, find someone to train with (family, friends, your dog!) and be accountable. If you are getting to the gym but need a new routine, change it up by joining in on a class or group exercise session. If it is that constant push, support and expertise you are seeking, invest in a personal trainer and work together to get the most out of your training. If you still have tried everything above and have lost motivation, remember why you embarked on this journey in the first place and how you would feel if you gave up on those reasons – will you be okay with quitting one year from now?

Be honest with yourself waking up at 6am is not going to suit everyone so importantly plan around what works for you and factor your workout in as part of your day. Preparation is key, pack your gym bag the night before so it is ready to go and you don’t need to think twice. Also, just give it a go, even if you are tired or had a bad day and don’t really feel like working out just do 10 minutes of quality training and then revisit if you feel the same way. If you do not have a lot of time, plan a shorter higher intensity workout (remember quality not quantity) and if life happens and you don’t make it for your workout – give yourself a break and just get back on track later in the week.

Most importantly, every person you see training regardless of location is on their own fitness journey and are training in accordance to their goals. Comparison to other people is un-useful, distracting and straight out detrimental to the achievement of your own fitness goals. Train for you, compare you today to you yesterday and remember that no one is going to be able to achieve your goals for you because no one wants to achieve your goals as much as you, your motivation comes from within you. Just keep it real.

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