We are all familiar with the phrase: ‘new year, new me’ and the idea of setting a new year’s resolution. After all, the changing of the date on the calendar is the perfect time to start again or create a new goal. For many Americans, this includes getting back into the gym and losing weight.

While these may seem like good goals on paper, they are actually broad concepts. A better approach would be to set more measurable, specific objectives, such as ‘losing 5 pounds each month’ or ‘participating in a group fitness class twice a week’. These are more measurable goals and will likely have a better chance of succeeding in the long run.

So, what can you do to keep these goals? Our Westwood gym has some advice you should keep in mind:

TIP #1: BECOME A MORNING PERSON

Waking up early and heading to a workout first thing in the morning frees up your schedule for the rest of the day. If you’re someone who is prone to get stuck in an afternoon that runs long, or tends to lose motivation by the end of the work day, then trying to go for evening workouts will probably prove to be unsuccessful.

With that in mind, it does take a bit of discipline. Try going to bed earlier, turning off the TV and staying off of TikTok until the wee hours of morning, and instead, opt for a more relaxing nighttime activity, such as reading or meditating. Get all of your gym gear laid out the night before, and most importantly, skip the snooze button!

TIP #2: FOLLOW YOUR SET PROGRAM

It can be tempting to slack off in the middle of our program, and say ‘well, I can miss a rep’ or make other excuses. Of course, it’s one thing if you feel like you’re in pain, but if you just want to skip for the sake of being done quicker, then you are cutting yourself short

A common issue that comes up, especially this time of year when the gym is busiest, is that the machine that you want isn’t free. If that is the case, have a backup plan prepared. For example, if the squat rack is occupied, try doing squats with a kettlebell instead. This makes sure that you are finishing your workout and working the same muscles, even if it wasn’t the original exercise you had scheduled.

TIP #3: DON’T SKIP A WORKOUT

We get it, life happens. Work obligations, family emergencies, illnesses and flat tires – we can’t control when these things are going to pop up. However, if you can, try to make sure you stay dedicated to going four to five days a week.

Now, don’t get us wrong, we don’t want you going to the gym sick! But if these obstacles do pop up, do your best to bounce back. Schedule an extra day to work out the next week, or stay on the treadmill a bit longer to compensate for the day you missed. No matter what, though, don’t beat yourself up and keep moving!

TIP #4: REMEMBER THAT DIET MATTERS

For many Americans, it’s not getting up and going to the gym that’s hard, it’s watching what we eat. However, with the proper diet, you can improve your gains, lose fat quicker and feel overall more healthy. Diet and exercise go hand in hand for ensuring good health. 

Don’t worry, you don’t have to eat salads each day if you don’t want to! In fact, if you do this, you probably won’t be getting all of the vitamins and minerals you need to stay nutritionally balanced. That’s why you should stop by our Kitchen after your workout! Our Executive Chef is ready to prepare a delicious meal from our seasonal menu. Since we are able to accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets, we have something for everyone.

TIP #5: POWER THROUGH SETBACKS

We have all been there, reaching that point where we have been working out and dieting with dedication for a month and the scale has barely moved. It can be discouraging, to say the least, and leaves us wanting to make concessions, if not throw in the towel all together. 

One fact that is important to keep at the forefront of your mind is that you can’t take off in a few weeks what took your months if not a year to put on. Retraining our bodies and our metabolisms is a process, and it takes time! It is imperative that you don’t reach for the junk food or call it quits when these setbacks pop up. Refocus your mind and get back out there!

TIP #6: AVOID THE JUNK FOOD

Cookies, chips, bread, chocolate – these are just a few of the tantalizing treats that can lure you to abandon your goals. Whether it is holiday leftovers or that fast food place that is on your route home, temptation is out there all the time. Our advice is to make sure that your fridge and pantry are free of these sort of siren calls.

Start by cleaning out your cabinets and purging any of the lingering junk in your cabinet. If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind! Then, make a plan to order your groceries online whenever possible. One of the biggest food setbacks comes while you’re at the grocery store and you see the candy aisle or a sale on baked goods and you add the item quickly to your cart. It’s much easier to avoid this temptation when ordering groceries virtually.

JOIN OUR WESTWOOD GYM

With these tips in mind, we hope that your new year’s resolutions will seem less daunting and more attainable. We are here to help you every step of the way and want to see you succeed, which is why we have one of Kansas City’s most robust group fitness schedules as well as a team of highly qualified personal trainers. 

Join our Westwood gym today and see the difference that Woodside can make for your fitness goals in 2022!