How to Keep Your New Year’s Health Resolutions

Whether it’s to lose weight or eat healthier, here’s some help to ensure you keep your New Year’s health resolutions. This post is sponsored by Planet Fitness, but (as always) the opinions expressed here are my own.

New Year, New You. Right?! Right.

Except here’s the problem: sometimes the ‘new you’ part fizzles out fairly soon into the new year.

I know I’ve had this problem before. I start the year strong and steadfast in my resolutions. I’m feeling great. I’m doing great. I’m super motivated. Then by the beginning of February, my resolutions take a back-burner and that January health high dissipates.

Has this ever happened to you? How do we prevent this and ensure that you keep your New Year’s health resolutions?

I’ve learned over the years from these mistakes and not only how to keep resolutions, but how to make them. The way that you make them is just as important and can set you up for success or for failure. Here, I’ll share 7 of my favorite tips on how to make and keep your New Year’s health resolutions.

7 Tips on How to Keep Your New Year’s Health Resolutions

Determine Your Core Value

I feel like this one is the most important factor if you want to keep your New Year’s health resolutions. So many of us make resolutions like “I want to lose 10 pounds” or “I want to get in better shape” or “I want to go to the gym more.” These are great resolutions, but they’re also very vague and unfocused. I feel like many people give up on their resolutions because they do not have a clear focus on what they really want. Why do you want to lose the weight? Why do you want to fit back into your high school jeans? Really hone in on what your core values are, and define your resolutions around that. Why do you really want to better your health or lose those 15 pounds? What do you really want to change or prevent? I take this technique from ACT therapy and I feel it’s very relevant here. Maybe what you really want is to be healthy enough to keep up with your children. Maybe you really want to feel confident in your own skin again. Maybe you want to be strong and able to take care of yourself. Focus in on those values and always keep them in mind when it comes to your resolutions.

Join a Gym

If you can join a gym and there’s one close to you, I highly recommend doing so. It’s a great way to stay motivated, try new types of workouts, and keep yourself accountable. Accountability is one of the most important ways to keep your health goals, which I’ll talk more about below. Research and choose a gym that offers you what you’re looking for in terms of open hours, price, classes, personal training, amenities, distance, etc. Most gyms require a commitment or contract, so definitely do your research before signing up. A few years ago I ended up joining a gym and signing a year contract, and then realizing it was just far too inconvenient to get to too late. The gym was 20 minutes away but turned into a 50-minute drive with the rush-hour traffic (which was the only time I could go to the gym at the time.) Wish I had done more research with that one! Most gyms will allow you a day pass to check out their facility and see if they’re a good fit.

I highly recommend Planet Fitness, especially if you’ve never joined a gym before. It’s a great facility and their promotion right now is unbeatable. Planet Fitness is allowing new members to join (until January 11th) for only $1 down and $10 a month. With NO commitment! It’s a perfect opportunity to start going to the gym without a huge financial commitment. What I love most about Planet Fitness is their Judgement Free Zone. So many people (myself included) can feel intimidated about going to the gym or like they’re feeling judged. When I first started weight training at my old gym, I felt like every single person was staring at me (and they kind of were). There are a few things I look for in a gym: Clean equipment. Accommodating hours. A non-intimidating, comfortable environment. And feeling like I am not selling my soul when I sign a contract. PF offers these things, for me. They’re completely non-salesman-y, down to earth, clean, friendly, and most of the clubs are open 24/7. And unlimited fitness training is included in your membership! For $10 a month right now, how could you not? That’s the price of two fancy coffees. And it’s a great investment to make for your health.

There are more than 1,200 locations in 47 states. So find one near you, check it out, and sign up before January 11th to get this incredible deal.

Keep Accountable

Back to the accountability I was talking about above! It’s much easier to keep and stay on track of your goals if you’re keeping yourself accountable for them. One way to keep your New Year’s health resolutions? Schedule them. Sounds simple enough, but it’s important and it’s often overlooked. If you’re not scheduling in the gym, a class, a run, or a time to work out, the chances are pretty good you’re just not going to do it. I used to say, “okay. I’m going to go to the gym 4x a week.” But then that week got crazy and slipped away from me. Now, I schedule my workouts and I keep myself accountable. When you have somewhere to be (or know you’ve already paid for it!) you’re more likely to actually show up. I also really like using apps like Balanced and My Fitness Pal to schedule my progress and set reminders.

Take it Slow

Above all else, this is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix. Treat it as such. Don’t burn yourself out or over-do it and then stop after a few weeks. Be kind to yourself, know your limits, and remember that getting healthy is not a race, it’s a new way of living.

Be Realistic

You know yourself the best. You know what you’re going to enjoy doing, what you’re capable of, and what you want. Put this knowledge to good use. Be realistic about your goals and how you’re going to actually achieve them. Keep your New Year’s health resolutions by setting yourself up for success in the first place. How often are you going to work out a week? What do you have the time for or how are you going to make the time? What exercise do you truly enjoy doing and what can’t you stand? For me, I hate running. I tried to take it up because a friend of mine loved to run and I thought it would be great motivation, but it didn’t work out. I know that I love yoga, barre, dancing, kickboxing, and biking. I’m going to search out a gym or classes that offer me that. I also know that I hate working out in the morning, so I’m going to schedule my workouts in the afternoon. Lastly, I know that I get bored of doing the same thing, so I know to mix things up when it comes to my workouts. Knowing yourself, trusting yourself, listening to yourself, and being realistic is going to greatly help you keep your New Year’s health resolutions.

Get Support

A really great sports bra. A gym buddy. A fellow yogi. A good trainer. Your mom. Get support on your health journey and surround yourself with encouraging and positive people. That’s the first thing. Support makes it a lot easier to reach your goals, and the lack thereof makes it almost unbearable.

Treat Yourself (and Treat Yourself Well)

Treat yourself. Reward yourself. Be kind to yourself. Your reward doesn’t have to be an ice cream sundae (although, I am all about moderation and anyone who reads my blog knows that balance is my motto). What I really mean by treating yourself is allowing yourself to feel pride, be patient, and be understanding during your journey. Don’t beat yourself up. You’re going to slip and you’re going to have off-days. Just hop back on that bandwagon tomorrow, girl. It’ll be there waiting for you. Set goals and crush them, and acknowledge the crushing factor when you do! Go get a pedicure, well-deserved massage, and, most importantly, a big ‘ole pat on the back from your biggest fan: yourself.

Finally, remember the most important part of a New Year’s resolution: the resolution! Even in March, July, or October, it should still be your New Year’s resolution. Don’t let January take all of the credit. It’s about you. What you want. Your goals. Instead of a New Year’s resolution, it’s really a reso-YOU-tion! You got this.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this post on How to Keep Your New Year’s Health Resolutions. Be sure to check out Planet Fitness and their great deal to help you reach those goals. What are your resolutions? Tell me in the comments below!