With the New Year starting, the enthusiasm is high to turn over a new leaf and start hitting some of those health and fitness goals. With an advertisement for a new diet and new workout fad almost every corner you turn it’s easy to get caught up in excitement and momentum that is the new year, new you whirl wind.

This is a great time of year to reflect on the last twelve months, what DID you achieve, what didn’t work so well, what could have been done better and what did YOU learn about yourself. Starting fresh, hitting the pavement and getting moving is great, however going from zero to 100 may not be the pathway for success.

Start slowly on your new health journey, the body needs time to adapt and recover, monitor your intensity and build up as the weeks go on for long term growth and development.

Although we will always encourage a healthier lifestyle, going from a low load to a high load quickly, can predispose the body to injuries, and actually reduces the likelihood of maintaining long term changes and increases in the likelihood of burn out.

Here are some tips to help you along the way;

  • Set small goals within your big goals, change takes time and you have to work at it.
  • Seek help, talk to health PROFESSIONALS, dieticians, doctors, exercise physiologist, coaches and your Myotherapist
  • Make a plan- as they say, failing to prepare is preparing to fail, make a plan that is achievable, sustainable and ENJOYABLE
  • Like what you do, just because everyone is doing a certain class, signing up to a marathon, choosing to only eat a certain thing does not mean it will work for you. Have fun with your exercises choices it shouldn’t feel like a chore and everyone’s body is different.
  • REST! Sleep and recovery is just as important as exercise itself, when we sleep our body heals and regroups, completing vital functions that it needs for the next day. Getting a good night sleep will help you manage stress, hormone balance and keep that metabolism functioning at a healthy speed.

Most importantly HAVE FUN, the weather is great, slip slop, slap and get into the great outdoors and fresh air.

Written by Leah Rampling – Training and Development Manager