Trekking to Ama Dablam Basecamp |  <i>Melissa Nakhle</i>

10 Ways to Achieve to Your Fitness Goals

At the start of the new year, “getting fit” is one of the most commonly set New Year’s resolutions. While many of us kick-off the year motivated and eager, by February, the yoga classes start to drop off the list, or gym memberships fall by the wayside and we are back to our usual habits. 

Yet it's important to remember that you don’t need superpowers, or an iron-will to stick to your fitness goals. Consistency and simplicity is the key and having a charity challenge to train for can help will give you an nonnegotiable date to strive for!

Here are 10 simple ways to achieve your fitness goals this year.

 

1. Work out the “why”

 Why do you want to achieve this goal? What do you want to get out of it? Knowing why you are putting yourself through an exhausting physical training will elicit a powerful emotional response to help motivate you to keep going and do it! Think of 5-10 reasons for reaching your goal, write them down and remind yourself of them when you feel like quitting.  


2. Make your goal measurable

Broad and vague goals are hard to achieve. Try using the “SMART” acronym – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. For example, setting broad goal like “do more running” is not as achievable as “I want to run 10kms for the Bridge Run in 5 months”.


3. Create a weekly schedule


One of the best ways to achieve your fitness goals is to create a schedule and stick to it. Decide how many workouts you are going to do each week and put them in your calendar along with all your other commitments. Once your workout sessions are locked in, all you need to do is show up.


 

4. Take small steps at a time

Big fitness goals can be intimidating. How on earth are you supposed to do 100 push-ups if you can´t even do 10? Breaking your goals up into smaller portions will make them more manageable and you more likely to achieve them.


5. Make it non-negotiable

Make your training a non-negotiable event in your calendar. See it as an important date you have with yourself.  A time to invest in your health and your long-term goals. Remember not to make your health and well-being your number one priority. 


6. Mix it up


When you notice yourself being unmotivated, getting bored or distracted during training or you are simply considering quitting, then its probably time to switch it up and try something new. Try out a hatha yoga class, rock climbing or swimming in the ocean...the possibilities are endless.

 

7. Join a club

Being part of by a community with similar goals and interests as your own can be a great source of motivation to keep pushing yourself and achieve your long-term goals. Training buddies can hold you accountable and keep you on track. Additionally, having someone to joke around with while working out is always fun!


8. Track your workouts

Keep a calendar of your workouts or use fitness apps to track your progress. It makes your achievements visible and gives you an easy way to compare your results after a few weeks or months. You will be surprised at how quickly you have improved when you look back on your regular training.

 

9. Celebrate your successes

Don’t forget to reward your efforts and celebrate when you’ve achieved a step towards your goal. Go see your favourite live band or buy yourself a new pair of workout shoes – you know best what you want to do and what will motivate you to keep going.


10. Train for an event

Training for an event gives you an non-negotiable set time frame to achieve your goal and a target to strive for. When training for a Huma Charity Challenge, you are working towards supporting a good cause as well as getting fit for your challenge. The more you train the more you’ll enjoy your challenge and your friends and family will be there to support you along the way.

Check out the Challenge Calendar to see upcoming challenges. 


Get Fit and Fundraise on a Charity Challenge