6 ways to get a jump on your 2023 fitness goals.
January is the time when everyone is thinking about getting healthier and losing weight. What new fitness goals do you have for 2023? I am often asked for tips to getting a jump on goals. Here are some tips on how to get ahead of the curve on your 2023 fitness season.
Get some funky new workout clothes.
Do not be afraid to be yourself in your workout clothes. If you think of the outfits that you wear the most, your workout clothes should be in the top three. If you have new fitness goals, you will be spending a lot of time in your workout clothes. Don't be afraid to personalize them and add colors. Make sure that they are appropriate for the activity that you are doing and that everything fits right. You will be surprised at the difference this will make in your attitude towards your workout.
Get a brand new pair of shoes.
People who are new to fitness often miss the importance of this one. Shoes wear down and go bad over time. Even if they are not being used as often as you think, the material that the shoes is made of goes bad. It makes me cringe when I ask someone when was the last time that they got new shoes and they reply with 5 years. YIKES! It is time to replace those shoes. Your whole body will thank you for it.
Get an accountability partner.
I do not know many people who are so disciplined that they can do everything alone. Even if you are, who wants to? An accountability partner is a perfect workout solution who can keep you on track and can help you step up your game. Do not be surprised if you see your goals achieved much faster. Just chose wisely.
Keep track of your metrics.
I do not care how you do it. You can go old school with a pencil and a notebook, download an app, or buy a device like a FitBit or an Apple watch that keeps track of all your workout results. Just keep track of something. It would surprise you how much progress you make over time if you stay consistent. Body monitoring apps will even track your sleep which is extremely useful to your performance.
Add some variety to your routine.
Choose one or two more exercises to supplement your routine routine to increase positive results. It would be wise to choose an activity that helps develop a different muscle group or skill like the kettle bells or Zumba for increased flexibility, cardio, and strength. Either way, it keeps it interesting and you get to meet a different set of people with different interest than your usual pack.
Plan a RUNCATION!
You may be asking: “What is a runcation?” If your goal is to complete a foot race, go for the gold and sign up for one of these. It is a 5K, 10K, half or full marathon that is held in a bucket list destination. The above picture was taken at Angkor Wat in Cambodia. This foot race is on the ancient temple ruins. This is a unique fitness experience where you not only get to challenge yourself, but on course, you see monkeys, ancient ruins, and after you are done, you are literally on vacation! It is a win/win. The 2023 Angkor Wat International Half Marathon takes place on the first Sunday in December. You got time. Let’s get started!
Jovan Abernathy has been running international marathons since 2010. She has participated in many runcations including the Great Wall Half Marathon in China, Victoria Falls Half maratho in Zimbabwe, and Angkor Wat. She is owner of Tourism Gym which focuses on using tourism to improve mental health. She leads women on her carefully curated long distance walking tours in Houston, Texas. Fill out the form below to get more information.