A new year begins. After the festive holidays, enjoying all the pleasures of family gatherings, and especially after a few excesses, it's time to get back into the swing of things.

The new year brings with it its share of sometimes ambitious resolutions: getting back into shape, losing weight, quitting smoking, saving money. Even if the will is there, it's sometimes difficult to remain constant without abandoning the objectives that seemed so relevant at first sight.

The challenge can sometimes seem daunting, but if you're realistic and have a bit of organisation, it's entirely possible to succeed. So here are a few tips you can put into practice to keep your New Year's resolutions in the long term.

 

Set yourself clear objectives
One of the pitfalls to avoid is being too vague about your resolutions. The idea is not to radically change your lifestyle in a few weeks, but rather to go step by step so that you can integrate lifestyle habits that will be achievable.

For example, someone who wants to slim down will tend to make a resolution: ‘I want to lose weight’. This resolution is vague and difficult to quantify. A more precise formulation would be: ‘I want to lose 2 pounds a month for the next 3 months’. This precise objective will make it easier to monitor your progress.

It's also essential to set yourself the means to achieve it. Do you want to eat more healthily? Move around more? If so, once again, go one step at a time. How many gyms are inundated with registrations in the first few weeks of January by people wanting to get back into shape? Unfortunately, this craze quickly dries up due to a lack of willpower.

There's no doubt that if you've decided to go to the gym 5 times a week in January, even though you've been sedentary for several months, you run the risk of running out of steam and losing the desire to go.

A more realistic approach would be to start slowly by training 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week for the first two weeks. This will allow you to gradually adapt to this new routine without getting discouraged. By achieving this first challenge, you'll be motivated to set yourself others.

The type of exercise you choose is very important. Don't embark on something that bores you to tears. Some people prefer walking in the fresh air, while others like group classes or indoor training. The idea is to enjoy it and see it as something you do for yourself without it feeling like a chore.

Treat yourself to the right training equipment. It's amazing what a new pair of sports shoes or a training towel that's as beautiful as it is effective can do for your motivation.

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Track your progress and be proud of yourself

One of the reasons why New Year's resolutions are quickly abandoned is the lack of short-term results. Although it's sometimes difficult to see the small changes, they are there and will become increasingly visible if you persevere.

Have you started a new physical activity?

Take note of your state of physical and mental well-being after your session. Physical activity releases endorphins, the happy hormones that reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality. These effects are felt quickly and are a short-term result of getting back into shape.

Other benefits will follow: endurance, physical strength and weight loss. Don't hesitate to use an application to track your progress. As well as encouraging you, your successes, however small, will make you proud of yourself.


Be easy on yourself

The hectic pace of your life can catch up with you. You may have ups and downs, and that's perfectly normal. Don't aim for perfection; moments of weakness can happen. Don't punish yourself if you miss a session of physical activity, be indulgent with yourself and get back on track as soon as possible.

Don't be discouraged by a setback, see it as a small obstacle on the road to success.

Perseverance is the key to success

Achieving your New Year's goals is not a miracle, but rather a matter of perseverance. By clearly choosing your goals and breaking them down into stages, you can easily monitor your progress and encourage yourself to keep going.

Bear in mind that, even if there are obstacles in your way, remain indulgent and kind to yourself. And don't forget that these moments are dedicated to your well-being and to establishing lasting habits that will see you through the New Year.

Ready to start the challenge?