When each New Year comes around it feels like a brand new start for all of us and a chance to improve on the ones behind us.
We all set ourselves goals with a new level of clarity and focus; everything simply feels more achievable at this time of year.
But the trick is keeping your momentum going throughout the year and keep you staying on the gain train.
January sees more people join the gym than any other month with everybody feeding off of each other’s enthusiasm.
Well you will be glad to know that this does not have to end in mid spring.
To help you stay on track we have compiled a solid list of the top ten fitness tips for 2015.
Follow these and 2015 will be your greatest, fittest and healthiest year yet!
1. Set Realistic Targets for Your Fitness Goals
When we think of New Year resolutions, it is natural to aim high as we consider how much work/progress can be achieved in a 12 month period, but this can also work against us.
If you set yourself achievable targets each month, you will never feel like your progress has halted.
Instead of focusing on your overall target weight loss or adding 20kg on your bench press in the year, concentrate your efforts on small milestones in each 4 week period.
2. Find an Inspiration
Inspiration can be an amazing catalyst for all things positive and you can benefit from finding an athlete, celebrity or friend who has your dream physique or positive mentality.
Keeping up to date with their progress will prove to you that it can be done as long as you put the work in.
3. Alter Your Perception
Exercise and correct nutritional choices do not have to be seen as punishment as it all depends on how you perceive the situation.
Instead of thinking about the pain endured in the gym, DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) or craving unhealthy processed junk food, realize that you have made a vigilant choice to prolong your life by improving your metabolism, immune system, confidence and overall well being.
4. Download a Fitness App.
You can now keep track of your diet and training regime on your cell phone thanks to a growing number of apps.
Whether you need workout suggestions each day, motivation to train or a reminder to get your next meal – there is a fitness app for every need.
5. Be Sure to Train Your Core
By this we do not mean 1000 sit ups every day! Your core muscles include your abs, lower back and obliques, which all work as a unit to develop overall strength, prevent injury and maintain a balanced posture.
6. Plan Ahead
Following a successive training plan and diet does take commitment, so plan a timetable to guide you throughout the week and avoid breaking away from your healthy routine.
Cook your meals in bulk and decide at the start of each week when is the best time to train each day.
Little steps like this will soon become second nature and make everything less stressful in the long run.
7. Find a Reliable Training Partner
If you can find somebody to train with it can be incredible for your progress.
By inspiring, supporting each other and promoting healthy competition through camaraderie, you can take your workouts to a new level. Give it a try.
8. Make Time to Stretch
Whenever we workout it is important to warm up the muscles, joints and ligaments by stretching or practicing light sets of resistance exercises.
One of the easiest ways to avoid injury is to stretch your muscles before a workout.
9. Mix it Up!
Our bodies love to build up immunity to things and exercise is no exception.
After a period of time your body will get used to the same exercises and plateaus can happen, meaning your strength, size or weight loss gains may slow down or completely stop.
You have to keep your body guessing to keep progressing; so utilize everything in your arsenal to add variety to your workouts and your fitness will carry on improving.
10. Fight or Flight Mode
When it comes to training, set your phone on flight mode to avoid any distractions whilst in the gym or going for a run.
Save your texting for later and swap this bad habit with a good music playlist to help you stay focused.
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