Only 13 percent of New Year resolutions live long enough to see April, the rest die before then, according to a poll by Forbes. If you had one of the common resolutions such as fitness and diet, chances are, you have already given in January and February stresses and given up.
When the year started, I promised myself that this year I would stick to my fitness resolution. My strategy this year was to have a fitness routine that would not be restricting, punishing, or too difficult. By now, I know the drill, I set the same resolution year in, and year out, only to forget about it by March. I am still not sure the routine will still be intact in April.
Given the unfavorable statistics, I decided to speak with those who, in my opinion, have successfully achieved their fitness objectives to perhaps receive some advice from those who, unlike bodybuilders, are just regular people with regular routines like me.
KEFA Jack, a photographer, who has always been slender, embarked on a weight-and muscle-gaining journey. Almost a year after making that decision, he is satisfied with his progress. Although he admitted that it had not been easy, he advised me to commit myself to my goal and my schedule as a little change I could make could ruin everything.
“My suggestion is to constantly remember that maintaining a fitness goal is difficult since there will always be an excuse to give up. Using myself as an example, I have committed to practice a little physics each morning before heading to work. But occasionally I felt drowsy and rescheduled it in the evening. Speaking from personal experience, each time I altered my timeframe, my goal was shaken.
He concluded: “In short, if you are trying to get in shape, stick to your goals and schedule. If you set to perform 20 squats a day in the morning, you have to be sure that nothing will get in the way of your early morning workouts.”
Alright, I now realize that shifting my workout sessions will most likely result in loss. However, I need assurance that my efforts will not be in vain and an estimation of how long it will take for this new habit to become routine. As time passes, I want my body to accept the behavior of working out rather than having to fight it.
And for scientific insight, I know who to turn to. I call him my encyclopedia, as he seems to have a particular interest in science, Ory Morlyn, started his health journey in January of this year. He describes fitness resolutions as one of those simple resolutions that can change your life in many ways from improving your physical health to improving your mental health, he said that the most difficult step is to start making efforts as science is on our side.
“It is one of those easy resolutions that has the power to significantly change your life. Thanks to enhancing both your physical and mental well-being. Losing weight is a positive feedback loop that psychologists refer to as the Pygmalion effect. It occurs when an increase in fitness levels boosts self-confidence, which in turn causes a need to lose more weight to reach a new psychological state where a higher degree of self-confidence is required.”
He continued: “Knowing all of that, the hardest part is to start trying and taking action to get out of that situation. Since the body is accustomed to its current state and is unaware of any other, my only advice to you is to start taking on challenging tasks since science is on your side.”
A study from the European Journal of Social Psychology found an average of 66 days was required to form a habit. In the 2024 Forbes Health Poll survey, only 13% of respondents tend to stick with their goals for the last four months. Following these two studies, we still have a whole month before statistics turn against us.
If, like me, you continue to push towards your New Year’s fitness goal with all, these practical tips can help you achieve both the final goal and the four months of statistics despite your enthusiasm and energy that could fade.
