Have a realistic plan of action for your fitness journey

Now that 2020 is in the swing of things, I can see that those New Year’s resolutions have kicked in for many people. The gyms are packed with long queues for treadmills and even queues for showers. There are plenty more runners and walkers on the road.

As someone who is active throughout the year, it is great to witness many more people are taking up the challenge to better improve their health and fitness. In the same breath, we also know that come March or April, many will fall off the fitness bandwagon, as is the case every year. Falling off is almost guaranteed when you don’t have a plan of action that is realistic. That’s the operative word: realistic.

1. So, let’s be realistic:

Rome wasn’t built in one day, it was built brick by brick. This, essentially, means you won’t lose those extra kilogrammes you gained over the festive season overnight, or even in a couple of weeks. Nothing happens overnight. In fact, the only thing that can happen overnight is your planning.

2. You need patience, lots of it.

This links to the first point. If it took you two years to gradually gain unwanted weight, it most certainly won’t take you two months to shed it. Patience, patience, patience.

3. The scale can be a real heartbreaker.

I generally suggest you throw it away or at least store it out of sight in the house. Focusing on just your weight in kilogrammes can make one go insane. The fluctuations will have you doubting yourself. If you decide to track your weight, rather opt for one of those scales that can give you your full body composition, which includes muscle mass, water content, fat mass. That way you have a fuller picture of what your weight includes.

4. It’s not easying at it all alone.

Grab a friend. That friend’s duty is to keep you accountable to your goal. And vice versa. This is crucial for those days when you start feeling despondent and want to give up. In the same breath, they are there when you are simply feeling too lazy to keep going. It happens to the best of us. Just make sure the friend you choose to go on this journey with you is one with similar or the same goals. It doesn’t help if one of you is a professional athlete and the other one someone who hasn’t done any physical activity in five years. Have similar goals, hold hands through the process and you are guaranteed success.

5. Chose the activity that tickles your fancy.

Something you actually enjoy. The gym is not for everyone. Neither is road running, hiking, swimming, triathlons and the list goes on. Before embarking on your fitness plans, think deeply about exactly what you like. For example, if you enjoy dancing then check out a local dance school and chose the classes you enjoy. If you can do it at least three times a week then you’re on the money. If you choose an activity that is personal to you, there’ll be less of a chance of falling off the wagon come March or April. Happy training!

Letshego Zulu. Picture: Supplied

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