Chances are you’ve got a few goals in mind when it comes to your health and wellbeing for the new year. Don’t let those goals slip away from you as 2023 marches on! The key to reaching your goals is setting yourself up for success. Here are some surefire ways to stay on track in the coming months.
1. FIT WORKOUTS INTO YOUR SCHEDULE
If you’re not a morning person, chances are you won’t become an early riser to force yourself to workout at dawn. Think about what works for your schedule. If the only time you can devote time to working up a sweat is during your lunch hour, pencil in your fitness then. Only able to exercise late at night? Join a 24-hour gym like Anytime Fitness.
2. MAKE SLEEP A PRIORITY
If you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t have the mental and physical energy to meet your goals. Establish a sleep-hygiene routine that prepares you for a good night’s rest. Program a bedtime on your smartphone so you start to wind down at the same time nightly. If you have trouble sleeping, change up your habits to encourage sleep. Eliminate any screen time after dinner or pamper yourself.
3. FIND A WORKOUT YOU ENJOY
Why force yourself to run if you can’t stand running? You’ll be more inclined to exercise if you actually enjoy the activity (just be sure to give each sport or activity a fair shake before ditching it). If you’ve only tried a fast-paced yoga session and didn’t like it, don’t rule out the entire practice. “Try a yin or restorative class for more of a stretch,” says Traci Bateman, co-founder of Bliss Yoga Spa in Edmonton.
4. REWARD YOURSELF FOR HITTING MILESTONES
Keep focused on working towards your health goals by planning rewards along the way. Even better, make the rewards ones that keep you on track. Replace a greasy cheeseburger dinner reward with new cross-trainers or book a massage at a local spa, like Alberta Massage and Spa in Medicine Hat or Edmonton’s Mi Vida Massage and Wellness. The pampering may feel indulgent, but rest and recovery are essential components of proper fitness regimens. Bateman agrees: “The endorphin rush after a workout is rewarding in itself,” she says, “but anything from a special coffee to a spa service is a great reward for a job well done.”
5. PRACTICE HABIT STACKING
Group together small to-dos and tie them to one of your daily habits. For example, if you check the forecast on the smart display in your kitchen every morning, keep a carafe of water and your supplements in the same spot so that checking the weather becomes the trigger to hydrating and taking your vitamins. AMA members can save 30% on all Jamieson Vitamin purchases.