Thriving Well
GET A HEAD START ON 2020
One of the reasons new year resolutions tend to fizzle out so quickly is because we just can’t sustain the energy and find the motivation to keep going. This happens when we attempt too many changes in our lives at one go – our bodies need to adjust. As such, you should work your way up into these changes. Ease your way in by making small steps this December. If you are planning some fitness-based resolutions come 2020, here are some ways where you can get a head start to help with the adjustment.
02 Dec 2019
Set your goals now
When you wait for the new year to set your goals, oftentimes they can be unrealistic. Goals aren’t just something you can create on the fly; careful planning and thinking needs to go into it. You want to make sure that they are reasonable, achievable and most of all, sustainable. Taking some time in December to help you figure this out means that you still have time to consider them in a calm manner, setting yourself a clear agenda for the new year that works for you.
Make plans to start fresh
New year resolutions are exciting because of the symbolic fresh start, but not everything can be done right at the beginning of the year. If one of your goals is to sort out your health, you should start making appointments for regular health checkups (or more specific tests like mammograms for women, as an example), which can sometimes take weeks to get an appointment. Other ways to get yourself fitness-ready is to conduct a check on all your exercise equipment. This might be a good time to get that new pair of running shoes if your old one is worn out or replace that pair of gym gloves or yoga mat.
Find some me time
As humans, we may be social creatures but we all need a bit of time to ourselves. This month, carve out some time for yourself to be alone. This will be a good time to reflect on the year gone by and to craft a clear vision of what you want to accomplish in the next year. Try to make a habit of this and carry it on into the new year. If you haven’t already tried it, consider meditation. It’s a great way for you to reconnect with yourself.
Learn a new recipe
Fitness goals isn’t just about being flexible and breaking out into a sweat. Nutrition is also very important. If you want to eat more healthily in 2020, consider learning a new recipe or two now so that you have some new healthy dishes to add to your repertoire next year. Learning a recipe also means that you will have the opportunity to research into what kinds of food – or cooking oil – are more nutritious than others, so you carry into the new year more knowledge on how you can eat more healthily. While you’re at it, maybe make a pledge to drink more water over caffeinated drinks or soft drinks.
Create a sleeping routine
It takes a while for our bodies to adjust to new habits so if one of your resolutions for 2020 is to sleep better, you should start slowly adjusting now. Having a good sleeping routine often means getting better sleep, which can contribute to your health in numerous ways. First, it’s better for your body so that’s a direct win already. Secondly, it means you wake up more alert and adjusted that you won’t be rushing as much in the mornings. This can have a spillover effect to the rest of your day – and means that you won’t be so behind that you’ll need to cancel your gym visit because you’re too busy catching up on the day.
Try something new
New years are great for new adventures and what better way than to find a new activity that you enjoy? Over the next few weeks, consider trying new physical activities or sports to see what you like best. If you have never taken a class at the gym before, sign up for a few to test them out. Once you find one (or more) that you enjoy, you can commit to doing more of them in the new year!
When you wait for the new year to set your goals, oftentimes they can be unrealistic. Goals aren’t just something you can create on the fly; careful planning and thinking needs to go into it. You want to make sure that they are reasonable, achievable and most of all, sustainable. Taking some time in December to help you figure this out means that you still have time to consider them in a calm manner, setting yourself a clear agenda for the new year that works for you.
Make plans to start fresh
New year resolutions are exciting because of the symbolic fresh start, but not everything can be done right at the beginning of the year. If one of your goals is to sort out your health, you should start making appointments for regular health checkups (or more specific tests like mammograms for women, as an example), which can sometimes take weeks to get an appointment. Other ways to get yourself fitness-ready is to conduct a check on all your exercise equipment. This might be a good time to get that new pair of running shoes if your old one is worn out or replace that pair of gym gloves or yoga mat.
Find some me time
As humans, we may be social creatures but we all need a bit of time to ourselves. This month, carve out some time for yourself to be alone. This will be a good time to reflect on the year gone by and to craft a clear vision of what you want to accomplish in the next year. Try to make a habit of this and carry it on into the new year. If you haven’t already tried it, consider meditation. It’s a great way for you to reconnect with yourself.
Learn a new recipe
Fitness goals isn’t just about being flexible and breaking out into a sweat. Nutrition is also very important. If you want to eat more healthily in 2020, consider learning a new recipe or two now so that you have some new healthy dishes to add to your repertoire next year. Learning a recipe also means that you will have the opportunity to research into what kinds of food – or cooking oil – are more nutritious than others, so you carry into the new year more knowledge on how you can eat more healthily. While you’re at it, maybe make a pledge to drink more water over caffeinated drinks or soft drinks.
Create a sleeping routine
It takes a while for our bodies to adjust to new habits so if one of your resolutions for 2020 is to sleep better, you should start slowly adjusting now. Having a good sleeping routine often means getting better sleep, which can contribute to your health in numerous ways. First, it’s better for your body so that’s a direct win already. Secondly, it means you wake up more alert and adjusted that you won’t be rushing as much in the mornings. This can have a spillover effect to the rest of your day – and means that you won’t be so behind that you’ll need to cancel your gym visit because you’re too busy catching up on the day.
Try something new
New years are great for new adventures and what better way than to find a new activity that you enjoy? Over the next few weeks, consider trying new physical activities or sports to see what you like best. If you have never taken a class at the gym before, sign up for a few to test them out. Once you find one (or more) that you enjoy, you can commit to doing more of them in the new year!
