5 Tips to Stick to Your Fitness Commitment in the New Year

Imagine looking back after one year and witnessing the profound changes consistently working toward a simple goal can unleash. The impact a year of dedication can have on your pursuits is life-changing. Consistent effort in any area of your life can bring about transformative changes.

Whether you aim to improve your health, shed pounds, prepare for a race, excel in athletic competitions, secure a spot on a team or enlist in the military, you are engaging in demanding objectives. However, goals can also encompass advancements in academics, professional development or enhancing relationships. Each goal requires consistent and sustained focus and a clear understanding of your initial motivation.

Consider these valuable strategies to help you maintain your commitment.

Check on Progress

If you are consistent, you will notice progress, but even if you are not, keep moving. Some progress takes more time, so be patient and trust the process. Recognizing how far you've come can be a powerful motivator to continue your journey toward your goal. Assess yourself every other week, especially if you are focused on physical fitness, weight loss or performance goals. You can check yourself more often if you prefer incremental goals, but if you are consistent, you will make bigger advances toward your goal if you assess every 7-14 days. See more ideas on assessing yourself.

Get on a Program

If you seek to add a more physically demanding element to your life, you need a program that helps you navigate the different elements of fitness and progress logically toward your goals. Establish clear, actionable steps each day and start building the habit of this new activity one day at a time. Breaking down your overall goal into smaller tasks makes maintaining focus and tracking your improvements easier. Check out ideas for routines with this split routine article.

Put it on the Schedule

There is an old saying: "If it is not on the schedule, it does not exist." You need to write down when you will work out, study or focus on your goal every day. Scheduling is so important to building consistency, as it is easy to forget new activities you are trying to form into a habit.

Things can easily conflict with time slots you scheduled with good intentions. You may need to schedule at a time when there are no conflicts, such as before sunrise, but lunch breaks and after the workday is done are OK, too. Statistically speaking, though, people who start the day with their focused goal before other activities are on the path to success. Here is a useful article: There Are Seven Days in a Week and Someday Is Not One of Them.

Don't Forget Why You Started in the First Place

Stay connected to your "why." Reminding yourself of the long-term goals makes today's challenges worthwhile. Remembering the reasons behind your goal reinforces your commitment and helps you push through the little inconveniences that pop up throughout each day.

Be Flexible

Embrace adaptability. Be open to adjusting your methods or timelines if needed, as life's circumstances may require you to shift your approach while keeping your goal in sight. Just because you miss an item on your to-do list does not mean the road to your goal is over. That is life. Keep moving and get back started again quickly. Every day can be a new Day 1. Being flexible and not getting down on yourself after setbacks is the key to consistency. Consistency is the single trait you need to ultimately achieve your goals.

Whether you are starting on New Year's Day, next Monday or making today Day 1, it all begins with a little motivation, evolves into habits, then discipline and resilience (mental toughness). Enjoy the journey.

With the right strategies and commitment, you can transform your pursuits. Don't wait for the perfect moment. Make today Day 1, not one day. Take control of your future by prioritizing your health and ambitions. Visit the Military.com Fitness Section and immerse yourself in a wealth of knowledge designed to encourage consistency and growth. This could be the year that changes everything -- allow yourself the opportunity to find out how far you can go!

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