How to make that new fitness routine stick

Many of us will have started the New Year with a goal to get fitter and healthier – the numbers out running and packed gym classes are a clear indication of that.

However, by March, many will have fallen off the new routine and lost the fitness habit.

Why are new routines sometimes hard to maintain? There are a variety of reasons for this, but to figure out how to make a fitness routine stick, we first need to look at the most common reasons why it might fail, such as not making it a priority, getting injured or simply not enjoying it.

• Not making it a priority is a huge one. We know our fitness is important. It can improve every aspect of our health such as body composition, blood markers (such as blood glucose), sleep, stress levels, concentration and so on. Yet we can quickly find other commitments in life that replace our new routine.

That’s why it’s so important to value the new routine for what it will contribute to your health and life in general. You started it for a reason – remember that! Put the sessions into your calendar and make it as important, if not more so, than your other weekly appointments. If you can get a friend to join you on your routines then there’s additional accountability.

• Getting injured is a sure – fire way to slow or stop your flow. The injury may not be your fault, but we can be so eager to start with and go in with too much intensity. Too much exercise can be inflammatory and also cause burnout, especially if other lifestyle factors are not in balance, such as stress, sleep or nutrition.

The best way to prevent injury is to build up the intensity gradually. We all want fast results when we start training again, so it’s tempting to go full on and train every day. This method gives the body very little time to adapt to these new challenges, which increases the risk of injury. First the niggles might creep in, then the nagging pain and finally the game stopper. Sound familiar? Slow and steady wins the race.

• If you choose to start running or going to the gym, although you hate it, because you think that’s what you have to do to get fitter, then you’ll soon find it hard to maintain. Choose activities that you like – dancing, walking, climbing, weight training, circuits – there are many options and choosing a couple of different activities each week keeps it interesting. Feeling happy with your routine will outweigh the benefits from doing the optimum workout that you can’t stand. You have to enjoy it in some capacity to keep it a regular part of your lifestyle.

When I work with clients, I always try to find a connection between what they like doing and their goals and incorporate them together. Morning walks, football, tennis, resistance training, dance, martial arts – these are all great options when in balance with your current capabilities.

It’s always worth checking in with a skilled fitness professional to help you get started. Remember, it’s only fun when you can keep doing it.