At the beginning of January, gyms fill up with people who made it a New Year's resolution to finally get fit. But does this last?
Gym attendance increases by 30-50% in January. There are many reasons to make this kind of resolution; regular exercise boosts your mood and energy, promotes better sleep, and combats health diseases. Knowing this, people decide to transform their year and make their health a top priority. But a few weeks in, this motivation tends to fade. Gyms gradually begin to empty out. Getting fit is challenging, and staying fit is even harder. Some estimates say that 80% of new members have already left the gym by February. This means that maintaining your motivation is more important than the actual fitness techniques you employ. After all, doing an okay workout three times a week is better than giving up and going home.
During the pandemic, it has been especially difficult to focus on our health. Not only have we been stuck at home, but there have been a million other things on our minds. But it is actually because of the pandemic that it is so critical to stay fit and healthy. After all, isn’t now the time to combat health diseases?
Here are the best ways to get fit in January - and to stay that way:
Join a Fitness Studio
Joining a fitness studio or gym is a great idea because you get the chance to surround yourself with like-minded people who also want to focus on their health. Not only that, but you can take advantage of equipment that you would never have at home. There is also staff on hand in case you need some assistance, which means that you can test your strength in a safe environment.
With Vonder co-living, we offer fitness studios in many of our locations. This means that you can exercise without worrying about how you will get there or spending extra money. This convenience is helpful in keeping you motivated on those mornings when you just don’t feel like it. There are no excuses when you have a fitness studio right where you live!
Join Workout Classes
Find a workout class to commit to that suits your interest. When you create a set routine for yourself, you take away the hurdles that might prevent you from working out. If you get lost in the gym and don’t know where to start, it can be intimidating to figure it out on your own. This becomes even more difficult when you need to convince yourself every day just to go to the gym in the first place. But if you already have a class that you have committed to, it is much easier to create an everyday routine. You will be following the instructor, which means that you won’t need to work everything out on your own, and you will need to show up at a certain time to take advantage. Not only that, but this can become a social activity for you. You share interests with the people who come to the class, which is a great starting point for making more friends. It’s a win-win.
Some of Vonder’s all inclusive flats to rent in London have taken extra steps to help you stay motivated this January. We have 3 Vonder Fit activities left just this month:
1. Yoga with Oxana on the 19th of January from 7 pm at Hill House in the co-working space
2. Yoga class with Gerry on the 20th of January from 7 pm at Wembley in the yoga room
3. Fitness class with Andrew on the 26th of January from 7 pm at Wembley in the yoga room
Think of these activities as the jumping-off point for you to motivate yourself as you get into the difficult part of maintaining your New Year's resolution. It is important to note that Covid precautions are being taken to ensure that these classes are safe for everyone.
Stay Motivated
This is essential. If you are not motivated, it will not matter what we suggest - it won’t happen. Here is a step-by-step process to stay motivated and focused on your goals:
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Write down your why:
Think about why staying fit is important to you. Is it to lose weight? Is it to get stronger or to feel better? No matter what your reasons are, write them down.
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Set actionable and realistic goals:
Now that you know why you want to get fit, figure out what your specific goals are and write them down. Do you want to lose a certain amount of weight, or be able to lift a certain amount? Whatever those goals are, write them down. Make sure that they are reasonable - do not write that you want to lose 30 pounds in a week. Not only would this be a very unhealthy goal (losing weight should be more gradual), but you would be setting yourself up for failure.
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Action steps:
Now think about active steps you can take to make this happen. Will you go to the gym three times a week, or join a class that targets your specific issues? Write that down, too.
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Imagine how you will feel when you reach your goal:
Now that you have figured out why getting fit is important to you and how to make it happen, envision how you will feel when you have achieved your goals. Imagine yourself at your ideal weight, lifting heavy weights, or otherwise feeling better. Really think about how this makes you feel. Imagining your future is the best way to make it happen because you will be able to remember why the hard work is worth it.
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Make it happen:
Now it is time to put your plan into action. Refer back to step 3 and implement the action steps you already set for yourself and make sure you stick to them. Stay motivated by remembering your why, your actionable goals, and how you will feel when you reach them. You can do this!
Getting fit is challenging, but remembering why you are doing this in the first place will help you stay focused. We wish you the best on your fitness journey!
