It is most definitely January. You want to know how I can tell? There are a lot of white socks in my barre classes, total giveaway of first timers. We were all newbies once. Sitting in the corner, staring at the lulu clad women coming into their seemingly “assigned” spots. Those New Year’s resolutions rolling in. Here is my PSA for the day, give a quick hello, make everyone feel welcome. You were new once right? All the new faces around class got me to thinking about ways to make sure to continue those New Year’s goals that we all set. Here are some suggestions to keep those healthy habits going throughout the year.
Make Sure You Have Found Something That You Enjoy Doing
There is nothing worse when you have to dread going to the gym. I hated thinking about running on a treadmill for 45 minutes with some sweaty guy to one side and an overly perfumed girl on the other. So you know what ended up happening? You guessed it! I wouldn’t go. Then I discovered my love for Barre and Spin classes. It doesn’t feel like a chore…I look forward to going (well 95% of the time let’s be honest!) So if you have started working out and aren’t feeling it….time to switch it up and find something else to try. Otherwise I guarantee you will not enjoy it and burn out. Ask a friend what they do. Or try a new class at the gym. Find something that gives you that amazing feeling when you are done, that makes you want to come back for more.
Sign Up For a Challenge
My Barre studio has a challenge where you complete 20 classes in 30 days and at the end you are rewarded with discounts and other fun prices. We have a challenge board up that tracks everyone’s name and holds you accountable. You better believe a Type A person like me likes a challenge! Plus, all the clients totally heckle you if you aren’t adding those dots by your name. Having a goal that you can meet is rewarding and helps drive you into make these weekly workouts part of a routine. See if your local gym or studio has a challenge. If they don’t have one….help them make one! Wouldn’t that be fun to be in charge of?
Track Your Progress
My favorite free apps for tracking workouts and daily intake are My Fitness Pal and Human. I even have Mark using Human for the walking throughout the day. My Fitness Pal is a great way to keep track of your daily calories, water intake and exercise. It gives you a nice overall estimate of your daily intake vs expenditure. It has a very easy to use app for Iphone and Androids. Or of course the Fitbit (my full review here) or apple watches are also great trackers.
Share Your Success
You’ve been working hard put that after shot on Facebook or blast out an email to your friends and family. You will be surprised how much their positive feedback will help drive you to continue. See if your gym or studio has a person of the week or a working hard shout out. Showing your journey of success will motivate others and help you stay committed. A lot of work environments will do “The Biggest Loser” type competitions, if yours doesn’t have one. Start it. Take that selfie shot (make sure not to do any of these selfies…oh my #3 I am still laughing about) or show those pants that don’t fit anymore! Nothing makes me more excited then to see a client’s positive results!
Go Ahead and Reward Yourself
So you’ve been sticking with spin now….go an splurge and get those spin shoes! Or you’ve been staying loyal with your Barre and Pilates class….time for a new pair of stickie socks or those leggings you’ve been eyeing. I mean it only makes sense since it is part of your routine, now you need the digs to go along with it! Plus, when you are looking good, you know you are feeling good. Splits59 makes some of my favorite workout leggings. The newest barre leggings trend is the moto leggings and mesh inserts. Koral activewear has one of the best lines for this. I am also totally digging LnA right now.
Make a New Set of Goals and Enroll a Friend
You’ve breezed through the first month. Now, here is your chance to think about your next set of goals. This is the time to sign up for that 10k or the Spin Marathon Event. Having a long term goal will help you stay on track. I’ve signed up for a yoga challenge in the past. Which brings me to my next point, try signing up with a friend so you have someone else to hold you accountable and vice versa. My girlfriend Abbey and I set barre dates all the time. Friends are especially helpful when it comes to motivating for those early morning classes.
Reflect on Your Journey
Take some time to reflect on your progress. See what things have been working for you and what hasn’t. From there, see what you need to change or continue with to allow you to continue to be successful with your exercise and healthy living goals. Sometimes, I will sit down with my planner and look at my past workouts. I try to find the workout gaps and see the reasoning behind it. Did I over schedule myself that day? Did I try to make a 430 class when I was on the other side of town? What teachers classes did I really enjoy and maybe I can try to coordinate more with those times. Take this time to applaud yourself for your hard work and plan for a successful continued future.
I hope these helped! How do you motivate and push yourself to continue with your workouts and healthy lifestyles past the Near Year? If you need some additional help make sure to check out this post for workout playlists and at home burners!
Very cute workout clothes!
Love these tips, friend! I can’t wait to get back on a proper workout routine! Now to hunt down barre classes around here ;) xo
Such great tips. It is so true you have to enjoy the exercise you are doing. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a pure barre studio to show up in Reykjavik!
Yes, girl! Finding something you love and noticing your own progress are so important. I love your comment about the white socks too :)
great tips! i know it always helps me to track my progress so i always write down when i work out in my calendar. xo jillian – cornflake dreams
These are all great tips! Finding a workout you enjoy is crucial to keeping a fitness goal! And rewarding myself with workout clothes (or any clothes…) is always great motivation :)
Such wonderful tips, lady! I know I’m going to have a bunch of newbies in my class today so I’m prepping some extra cues and bringing some extra pep :)!
Gear tips! I have a love/hate relationship with running but I’m not sure what else interests me, lol.
I seriously need to get all new workout clothes so I’ll be motivated to get back to the gym! I always hate going in the beginning of the year because it’s so crowded but you’re right, we were all new once! Great tips girl! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Great tips!! I miss your workout posts, you have so much good info! I need to revamp my workout wardrobe stat, and the woman who owns my Barre3 swears by Splits59!
I find motivation when I have someone who motivates me! I’m not a fan of working out alone so my husband and I went for a run last night, we didn’t go far, but we kept each other accountable… now I just need to get some cute, fun workout clothes!
Sticking with new year goals is always something I struggle with… maybe that’s why I don’t make them anymore! :P
I DO want to take a spin class, though. If yoga and barre weren’t so expensive (like $25 dollars a class — discounted packages maybe make it $17 a class) I’d try them more often, but I just can’t justify spending that much. I feel like yoga and barre is something that you need to *do* for a while to see if you like it/see what your results are, so I just haven’t gone. Maybe one day there will be a local gym that offers classes with a membership. Until then, I’ll just stick to the sweaty guy next to me at Planet Fitness. Ha!
Wonderful list lady!!! I could not agree with you more too. The only thing that sometimes is a buzz kill to my trips to the gym is the cold weather!! BUT, I seriously just layer up and go. Thank you so much for sharing and love your workout clothes too! :-)
I think that I need to go and add the MyFitnessPal app. Right now I’m just writing down everything I eat, but this would be an easier way to keep everything straight. I also love the part about sharing your success. Right now, I’m considering it a success if I work out that day, and I’m taking snaps on SnapChat!
i might reward myself more than i actually work out….
I totally reward myself with new clothes to keep working out. Whatever works, right? :)
Love this!! And amen on the “being nice to new people” … and new outfits or shoes always do the trick for me ;)
These are such great tips!! Where do you teach Barre? It’s been something I want to try but haven’t yet!
Totally agree about signing up for a challenge – especially if you’re competitive! Also key to get involved in something one enjoys doing. If all you do is go to a gym and hit up a treadmill and you hate running, then there’s no way you’ll still be going come February. Great tips girl! PS- why do y’all wear socks in barre? My barre studio is barefoot. Just curious :)
this is spot on! and i love the idea of sharing your success!
I’m in a 12 week fitness challenge right now that I hope helps me last past the January excitement!
These are some seriously great tips. I ate so bad over the break so I signed myself up for The Whole Life Challenge starting on Jan 16th. The last time I did it I lost 8lbs. I was really bad about working out but i’m hoping this time I’ll be better about that!
Love this! I am in an 8-week fitness challenge right now and it is so much better knowing other people are working hard atthe same time! Love those leggings with the mesh cut-outs! I just shared six tips myself on Monday, and an update on my fitness plan on the blog today! I love the idea of sharing your successes!
Annie- All Things Big And Small
So I love how you approached this topic. I think what causes a lot of people who actually want to work out to fall off the band wagon, is the pressure that can be found in the “gym world.” I love that you said “you were new once too.” I think that is oh so humble and these girls have an amazing teacher! Keep that humble soul you have Amanda! It is sure to rub off. These tips are wonderful. (:
Great tips for staying on track! Love your workout tights.
These are all fantastic tips, I couldn’t agree with you more on all of them! We went and checked out a new gym today, and they offer BodyPump and Spin classes. Spin always has been one of those things that I’ve wanted to try, so I’m excited to see if it gets me motivated and coming back for more!
Great tips! I follow every one of them. Pure Barre was so packed at noon and I was as nice as I could be to resolution newbies who had no clue what was going on. I was one a year ago and need to remember that! I always worked out, but nothing stuck like Pure Barre has! Got 59 splits for Christmas and I love them!
Really insightful tips, Amanda. I’m all for setting mini goals, where the reward is a new piece of workout gear :) And is that a ribbon in your braid? The pictures in this post are fabulous!
I of course love the tip of rewarding yourself – I am looking to revamp my workout wardrobe, but one thing a month :) I am really happy to have the watch now, I’ve been spinning a lot so it’s great it can track that now!! Loved this post girl! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Great tips! I’ve only taken a Barre class once and it was pretty intense. Haven’t been back but I think I’d like to challenge myself to give it another try! Also, bribing myself with new workout gear usually does the trick for a bit :)
Yes, yes, yes!!! All great tips! You just reminded me to go look for a barre Groupon. I loved it so much, just not in my budget! I am also always looking for new leggings… love those! Happy weekend!
When we get settled into the house (har har) again, I’m going to sign up for one of those PB challenges. I definitely need that accountability… and I need something that works…. so win-win!!
the treating myself is my favourite part :)
Yes! I remember going to the gym at the beginning of the year and it just being packed. Never lasts long. And new clothes always helps. :)
I was just telling Michael how I want a Fitbit or something like that. I feel like seeing numbers would be motivation. These are all great tips! Thanks for sharing!! Another thing my area needs is a barre class!
Great tips, girl! I am always intimidated when I start a new workout, so I feel those gals in the white socks. Barre has been my favorite workout though! xo, Champagne&Suburbs