It’s almost that time of year again when people create New Year’s resolutions that they may or may not stick to. Are you considering health and fitness resolutions this new year? If so, Plunkett Fitness has a few recommendations for resolutions that you can actually stick to and a few tips on how to do so. You don’t want to be one of the many people that abandons their New Year’s resolutions early in the year, and the trainers at Plunkett Fitness can help.
New Year’s Resolution Ideas
The quality of your health starts with proper diet and exercise. These five New Year’s resolutions are some of the best for your overall health in 2018.
- Eliminate Processed Food from Your Diet
Processed foods generally contain a lot of sodium, sugar, and other gunk that doesn’t provide any nutritional value to your body. Since these foods are full of empty calories, start the New Year by throwing them out of your pantry.
Try to keep healthier snacks on hand instead. Nuts, fruits, vegetables, and other healthy snacks can curb hunger while still providing nutrients that your body needs.
- Spend More Time Exercising
It isn’t always easy to find time to exercise, but any exercise is better than none. If you already have an exercise routine in place, see if you can squeeze in a little more time doing cardio, lifting weights, or doing yoga each week.
Remember that you should still leave yourself rest days to prevent injuries and allow yourself some time to relax.
- Get At Least 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
Sleep is underrated. Your body won’t be able to properly recover from your workouts without plenty of rest, so it is crucial that you set a sleep schedule that allows for eight hours of sleep. While you are asleep, your muscles repair themselves and you start to see the improvements you have been looking for. Don’t skimp on sleep in 2018.
- Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables don’t get nearly enough credit for all they do for our bodies. Packed with vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables provide your body with a lot of nutrients that it can’t get elsewhere.
The USDA recommends that adult men eat two cups of fruit each day. Women between 19 and 30 should eat two cups of fruit each day, but after 30, women should stick to one and a half cups.
Men between the ages of 19 and 50 should consume three cups of vegetables each day, while men over 50 and women between 19 and 50 should eat two and a half cups daily. Women over 50 should aim to eat two cups of vegetables a day.
- Relax More Each Day
Relaxation is an often-overlooked part of human health. With most people spending at least eight hours a day at work, it can be hard to find time to truly relax. A few ways our trainers like to relax include getting regular massages, meditating, and practicing yoga.
Tips for Sticking to Your Resolutions
- Don’t Set a Time Limit for Your Goals
One sure way to lose motivation is to set a time limit for your goals that isn’t possible. Instead of telling yourself you need to lose 20 pounds in four weeks, be happy with the goal of losing 20 pounds. Once you hit the milestone, set another one, so you always have a goal to work toward.
- Don’t Push Yourself Too Hard
If you are new to dieting and exercising, don’t dive directly into the deep end. Start slowly, and gradually build into the routine you want to stick to. Try to get in at least two 30-minute workouts each week, and only add in more when you are comfortable with the routine.
You should also give yourself room to slip up. There may be a day that you just can’t imagine going to the gym, and there may be a day where you just need to eat a slice of cake. That’s fine. Give yourself some leeway and don’t feel guilty about a little slip up here and there.
- Get Some Help
You don’t have to work on your New Year’s resolutions alone. Plunkett Fitness trainers are available to help you! Our trainers can help you come up with a nutrition plan that you won’t hate and get you moving in the gym.
If you don’t have anyone to motivate you, you are much more likely to give up on your goals early. Get an Overland Park personal trainer today to get a head start on your New Year’s resolutions. Our trainers will come up with a personalized plan that will help you reach your fitness goals for 2018.
For those who like to exercise in a group, gather your friends and family for group personal training sessions at Plunkett Fitness. Our unique group fitness training allows participants to get attention much like they would in a personal training session, but with more people to hold them accountable for a more economical price.
To get started toward your fitness goals, contact Plunkett Fitness today at 913-390-3360. Our personal trainers are ready to help you see the results you want with personalized training and nutrition help.
