Dont wait until January or Monday

By Lauren Kelly, Mates4Mates Exercise Physiologist

As the end of 2019 looms and 2020 is merely a stone’s throw away, we start to think about the goals unmet and the projects left unfinished. 

This might be the time when you begin to feel the pressure and go into overdrive to tick things off your health and fitness to-do list. 

We often start our #summershred or ambitious gym regime, valiantly trying to build muscle, lose weight or reach that goal before the holiday season begins.

However, if this leads to feeling overwhelmed many end up putting it in the ‘too hard’ basket and save it for the New Year.

Then the cycle starts again with the pressure to commit to a New Year’s resolution.

Long term changes happen with small consistent habits and you don’t need to wait until January 1, or Monday, or when the stars align to get started.

There is no better time to start than now.

Focusing on small goals will bring a sense of achievement, increase confidence, and you’ll be more likely to take on bigger, more ambitious health and fitness goals as time goes on.

Here are three tips to get you started:

SET THE HABIT AND SLOWLY INCREASE IT

Set a reminder in your phone for 20 minutes of non-negotiable movement every day. Can’t find 20 minutes? Start by going for a walk around the block each day, do just five minutes of squats or set a timer to stretch for five minutes. 

There’s a really good chance you’ll end up doing more as movement releases all those feel-good endorphins. 

SET A GOAL BASED ON FEEL, NOT APPEARANCE

Setting goals to achieve a distance or time to feel strong or to have more energy, is going to make you feel good and motivate you. When you feel good, you’ll stick with it and reach your goals.

WORK WITH YOUR ENERGY LEVELS

If you’re free at 3pm to exercise, but you have more energy in the morning, that isn’t going to keep you motivated.

Instead, wake up 20 minutes earlier and work in with your energy levels.

Make a commitment to start today.