5 Tips and Tricks To Help Keep New Year's Resolutions

Now that you’ve set your health and wellness goals for 2018, you’re ready to (or have already) put them into motion. Whether your goal is to eat cleaner, amp up your fitness routine, and/or implement more self-care into your daily routine, first take a moment to CONGRATULATE yourself for kicking the new year off right.

However, we all know that it can be tough to stick to a new routine, especially as we move further along in January. We’re all human, and sometimes life gets in the way - it can be tough to adopt and sustain a new healthy lifestyle.

Here are 5 tips and tricks to help keep you motivated as we move along in 2018:

1. Set SMART goals.

Many of us (myself included) are guilty of setting very hefty resolutions that may be unrealistic, which just sets us up for disappointment in the end. It’s fantastic to be an overachiever, but it’s also important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Remember to keep goals SMART - specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timebound. And if you realize you didn't set a SMART goal, it’s better to go back and tweak instead of giving up and waiting for 2019. It’s more sustainable and inspiring to celebrate smaller victories and up the ante each week. You won’t believe what you achieved when you look back in a few months.

2. Remind yourself of the WHY.

If you’re ever feeling tired, stressed, or unmotivated, remember to bring yourself back to why you are taking action steps to achieve your goal. Sometimes taking a moment to pause and reflect on the ‘why’, as opposed to the ‘what’, can re-energize you and regain focus and confidence.

3. Have FUN.

It’s a known fact that laughing and socializing boosts your immune system, releases stress, and sparks creativity. Remember that working out doesn’t have to be mundane. If you loved playing a sport as a kid, sign up for ZogSports. If dancing or gymnastics brings you joy, sign up for a dance class at Broadway Dance Center. There are plenty of ways to bring active joy into your life, and the more you have fun, the more likely you will be to propel forward.

4. Get CREATIVE.

If you’re sticking to the same meals and workouts each week, it’s likely you’ll get bored and eventually burn out. It’s important to have a library of fun, healthy recipes so you can mix it up throughout the day and plan ahead each week. For workouts, keep it fun and creative. Try a week of cardio, barre, yoga, dance, and then maybe add in something different to the mix like boxing or rowing. If you stick to the same exact routine, your fitness level will plateau, so it’s important to diversity your workouts to maintain a healthy and challenging regimen.

5. Surround yourself with the right COMMUNITY.

One of the many benefits of social fitness is that you’re having fun with peers perhaps without even realizing how much you’re working out or how many calories you’re burning. Not only are you enjoying yourself with the ones you love while getting into shape, but your friends are also keeping you accountable and motivated to attend that fitness class and perform at your personal best (spin classes such as Swerve Fitness are great motivators because you’re working together on a team to get to the finish line).

Bottom line: if you have a SMART goal, remind yourself of WHY you want to achieve that goal, have FUN, get CREATIVE, and surround yourself with the right COMMUNITY, you are certainly on the right track to a healthier and happier 2018.

Cheers to making this your best and healthiest year yet!