How to motivate yourself to get fit in the New Year

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Did you make a resolution to get fit this year? For a lot of you, the answer is yes. According to a blog by The Independent, to get fit or lose weight is the third most popular New Year’s resolution for 2013. It sits just behind people’s aims to save more money and get out of debt. But, how many people go on to fulfil their resolutions? Men’s Fitness magazine claims of the people who give up on their fitness resolutions, the majority do so after six weeks.

The secret to achieving your fitness goals is being consistent. There’s no point going to the gym once a fortnight and waiting for results to appear. In the same way, regularly doing workouts but eating whatever you want will be no help either. It’s all about maintaining a routine until it becomes a lifestyle.

A lot of people believe that the hardest part is getting started. This is often the case, but even the fittest people lose motivation at some point and struggle to get back to the gym. It’s just a matter of finding ways to tackle the problem and getting yourself back on track to success.

Photograph your progress

One of the main reasons that people lose motivation to exercise is that they’re not seeing results. When it comes to getting fit, it’s a slow process and results don’t happen overnight. It usually takes 12 weeks to notice a substantial difference in your body, but along the way you’re always changing, even if you don’t notice it. Taking a before picture and then subsequent monthly snapshots will show your body gradually changing and help you to realise that your hard work is paying off. It’s best if you wear your underwear or tight-fitting clothes for these pictures as then you’ll really be able to notice the changes.

In a similar fashion, documenting your progress through measurements is another solution. Take initial measurements of your upper arms, chest, waist, hips, thighs and calves and then re-measure yourself every week or two. Writing these numbers down will give you solid proof that your body is responding to the exercise. Just make sure you always take the measurements from the same spot or your figures could be misleading.

Look the part

People go to the gym to look better and a lot of our motivation comes from looking good while we’re there. Wearing old and unflattering exercise gear isn’t going to inspire you. But investing in some fashionable workout threads can get you going to the gym more often. Where else are you going to show them off?

Dressing right not only makes you feel better, it also aids your work out. Although they look good, the gym is one place where both women’s and men’s denim jeans are not acceptable attire. They inhibit movement, can get caught in equipment and aren’t designed to handle immense sweating. You need something designed specifically for exercise which gives you a full range of movement and absorbs sweat.

The right footwear is also vital. For most exercise, your foot needs to be stabilised and supported to ensure you don’t injure yourself. Nike are one of the leading brands in sportswear simply because they provide immensely researched and rigorously tested trainers to give wearers the best support while exercising.

Make it social

A lot of people enjoy going to the gym for its social aspect. Exercise is an opportunity to work off the stresses of your day to day life and being surrounded by friends while you’re working out is a great way to take your mind off work.

Having a gym buddy is a fantastic motivational tool as the other person expects that you’ll be there to workout with them. But if you’re going alone, remember, everyone who goes to the gym is there for the same reason as you – to get fitter – so you’ll have some