Fitness New Year Resolution Starter To-dos

2017. It’s a new year, and you have fitness resolutions. Unfortunately, you also have no idea where to start. While fitness plans can initially seem daunting, I'm here to tell you that the most important things to start doing, are things you can do today.

The Workout Side:

First and foremost, you have to make a plan. Look at your calendar for the entire month of January and block out the times you are able to work out each week. Next, in the words of Socrates, know thyself. Are you really going to wake up at 6:00am so that you can hit the gym for a full hour before work? No? But maybe you can wake up at 8:00am instead of 6am three days a week for quick 30 minute in-home sessions. And maybe you can get to the gym on the weekends for a full hour. Be ambitious, and be reasonable. So, your January fitness plan might look like this:

Finally, you’ve got to commit. After years of training, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of devoting time and effort to your workout. I know. You were busy in 2016. But you’ll be busy in 2017 too! It’s not that most people don’t want to push themselves during their workouts, it’s that they struggle to make and commit the time.

The Diet Side:

Water. Water. Water. Many people overeat because they’re actually dehydrated. When your body needs water, it can actually send a signal to your brain that it misinterprets as hunger. So, that afternoon sweet tooth may actually be a cry for more H2O. My advice: Have a water bottle that’s at least 24 ounces, and bring it with you everywhere you go and make sure it’s visible. If it’s in your hand or on your desk, you’re more likely to drink it than if you had it in your bag, or have to get up from your desk to fill up multiple glasses. In addition to curbing hunger, hydration can increase energy and helps with metabolic functions. In other words, it’s your body’s superfuel!

Finally, let’s talk food. My quick rule of thumb is, if you can’t grow it or kill it, eat it in moderation. Last time I checked, you can’t kill or grow a cheese pizza (dreams…), so don’t eat slice after slice until you’re stuffed. Instead, fill up on fruits, veggies and lean proteins, and keep the pizza to a delicious minimum.

Keep it simple in 2017 New Year’s Resolution-ers! Make a workout plan that’s reasonable and consistent, drink plenty of water, and stick with plants and proteins. Make these your habits, and you’ll see that your goals are not as far off as you think!