With the new year comes new resolutions—while these types of goals may have a notoriety to be failed or forgotten about, we’ve created this informative list to keep yourself in check and get through your hardships during the year to come out on top. Whether it’s professional, fitness, or creative goals—as leaders in Pittsburgh Pilates, we’ve worked with a wide variety of people who are working hard to pave the way for their new future. With a bit of prep, you’ll be reaching your dreams in no time with our guide.
Make Your Goals Realistic and Sustainable
Start With Small Goals and Low Impact Exercises Such as Pittsburgh Pilates
While you may see other people in your life setting incredibly difficult and large goals, don’t be influenced by what they’re doing. Find what is most sustainable for you and your routine—whether it’s a simple workout plan a couple of days out of the week or simply eating a bit healthier, you can make small, realistic resolutions—like attending the leading Pittsburgh Pilates studio, Touchstone Pilates, twice per week—that will help significantly and not burn you out. Keep in mind that these goals can also be increased at a later date, so starting small is your best bet to stick to your goals and become the healthiest version of yourself.
Set Your Goals For the Right Reason
Change For You, Not For Others
By setting these goals for yourself and not for others, you’ll be more likely to stick to them. People are significantly more likely to complete New Year’s resolutions when they’re making the changes they want to see in themselves rather than the changes that other people would like to see in them. Some questions to ask yourself when setting your goals include:
- Do I want to change this habit, or is it someone else in my life who wants me to change?
- Are my friends, parents, or partner influencing my resolutions in a negative way?
- What do I personally want to see change in my life this year?
By being cognizant of how you’re truly feeling and the ways that others influence your life, you’ll be better equipped to change your lifestyle in a way that makes you the happiest and healthiest you can be.
Don’t Make Drastic Changes Day One
Work Up to More Difficult Life Changes
It’s important to ease into your new lifestyle—if you start with strenuous exercise or cutting all carbs on the very first day, it will shock both you and your body. These types of fad changes are less likely to stick and become a part of your daily routine, so starting small for the first week or two is incredibly helpful for the longevity of your goals. Patience is key in these types of situations—it may seem counterintuitive to start small and build up because you have the most motivation at the beginning of your journey, but you have to protect yourself from burnout and relapse. By researching ways that you can start small and build up to the life you want, you’ll be more likely to stick with your resolution and become the person you want to be.
Learn From Past Mistakes
Understand How You Work and Have Failed
No one wants to think about the times they’ve failed, but it’s important to think about this while setting goals. You know yourself better than anyone else, meaning that you know what may make you more likely to succeed or fail. It’s crucial to check up on yourself both while setting goals and also while completing them—being in control of your subconscious mind and your emotions will let you conquer anything. Some common questions to ask yourself while setting goals should be:
- What goals have I failed to achieve in the past?
- Why did I fail those goals? Was it because of their difficulty or subject matter?
- What motivates me to complete goals?
By understanding what makes you more likely to complete tasks as well as what hurts your chances of success, you’ll be able to better understand yourself and gauge what resolutions are realistic for you.
With these simple tips and tricks, you’ll be on the right track to achieving your New Year’s resolutions and becoming a better version of yourself. Holding yourself accountable while also allowing for some breaks is the best way to keep pushing forward while also fighting against burnout. Take things one step at a time and know your limits. Interested in getting fitter this year but unsure where to start? Contact Touchstone Pilates today for a timeslot at the only traditional Pilates classes in the Pittsburgh area.
