January signifies the new year and a time for a new start. It doesn't have to be January in order for you to make changes to better yourself, but for many, it's a great starting point.

New Year Resolution Statistics

According to a survey from discoverhealthyhabits.com, the most popular resolutions for 2021 were exercising more and improving fitness (50% of participants), losing weight (48%), saving money (44%), and improving diet (39%). Fitness-focused goals such as exercising more, eating healthier, and losing weight were also top resolutions in 2020 and 2019.

Of those that made a resolution in 2020, 35% kept all their resolutions, 49% kept some of their resolutions, and only 16% failed at keeping any of their resolutions. There are a lot of reasons why resolutions fail. Here are some tips on how to keep them.

How to Meet Your Fitness Goals

Committing to becoming healthy and fit is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. Goals like saving money, traveling more, or dressing better are all great aspirations, but what good are they if you are unhealthy? Here are some ways to start and continue your fitness journey.

Choose specific obtainable goals

"Get fit" is a great overarching theme, but it can mean a lot of different things. Be specific so you have something tangible to shoot for. Some people may choose a weight or clothing size goal. Others may choose to run a certain number of miles or exercise a specific number of times a week. All of these things help keep you accountable.

Find activities that you actually enjoy

If you hate running, don't do it. Find something that you enjoy or you will struggle to get it done. There are plenty of great options. Hiking and kayaking are great for outdoor types. You may take up boxing or yoga. There are a lot of ways to move your body. Choose one that you enjoy doing.

Identify an accountability buddy

You don't have to have someone to go with you to the gym every day or check-in to make sure you went for that jog. It can be as simple as telling someone your goal and asking them to check in with you on occasion to keep you accountable. If they want to join you, that's even better!

Don’t eat foods you don’t like

Kale is not for everyone. You don't have to change your food preferences to be fit. Less doughnuts and more salad does not mean no doughnuts and only salad. Think about eating your snacks in moderation and find healthy things that you actually enjoy. Don't force it.

Drink more water

It sounds easy, but we all struggle with it. Consider carrying a reusable water bottle and filling it throughout the day. Drinking more coffee or soda doesn't count. If you need help staying motivated, consider healthy water additives or fruit like lime or lemon for flavor. Proper hydration helps boost metabolism, energy, and promotes overall wellness.

Don’t force fitness into your schedule

If you can't make it to the gym between work and picking up the kids, don't force it. When there is a time crunch or something else you could be doing, you are opening yourself up to excuses. Make sure your activities fit into your day. This could be a simple as 20 crunches when you get up, a walk on your lunch break, or a hike or walk with friends or family. There are plenty of at-home workouts to try.

Prioritize allowing your body to recover

Recovery is key. It is one thing to be motivated and it is another to listen to your body. You can't lift heavy weights every single day. You can't work the same muscle groups without a break. Allow your body the proper time, sleep, and nutrition to recover.