A fresh start always does us good. It’s not that our situation drastically changes the moment the ball drops December 31, but mentally, January has always been a great time to review, set goals, and recommit to wellness practices or to anything else in our lives where we feel we may be slipping.
Historically, there’s a big bump in attendance and in membership purchases in the fitness world in January. Fitness and yoga studios, gyms, and online programs are welcoming the masses in. IHRSA (the Global Health and Fitness Association) reports that 12 percent of sign-ups for gyms, sports clubs, and health clubs happen this month—higher than any other month of the year. Are you in that number this time around? Have you been part of the 12 percent before, only to be part of the 80 percent that quits in February?
In all the rush to step into the “new you,” it’s easy to get lost, intimidated, or burnt out. Here are some tips as you start or return to your fitness journey to help you find the right space for you and keep you on track:
1. Take a moment to think about what you need and what you like. The truth of the matter is you’re not going to stick with something that feels like a chore, that you hate doing, or that won’t give you the results that you want. What is it your body needs? Take some time to talk with the instructors you encounter and do a deep dive. They should be able to help you figure out how to reach your goals and be able to tell you if they have a program to match what you need. Choose a movement modality that challenges you but recharges you.
2. Don’t fall for the scams. There’s absolutely no health program in the world that will help you lose 30 pounds in a month and keep it off. Don’t expect fast results. Good things take time, and fitness in particular requires that we be consistent in our efforts for the long haul to see results. Commit and give yourself grace.
3. Look for instructors and coaches wi th certifications. You want someone who understands the body and has put in time, effort, money, and practice into becoming the expert that they are. Those people will often have letters behind their name.
You want someone continually learning to be better at their job. You’ll see them putting in work alongside you. They won’t be shy about sharing their story with you—where they’ve been on their journey, how they got to where they are now, and how they want to continue the work. They’re scaling the movements so that they are accessible to you, because they remember where they started. They’re teaching you how to use your breath to aid you in a movement. They will encourage you but give you the space you need to decide you want to do the thing.
Keep in mind that the right teacher is what might change your mind about a movement modality. Something may not have worked for you before, but that may have been because of the way it was presented to you, not the actual form of fitness itself.
4. Find community. When you find your place, your people will be there, too. Some of the people who show up alongside you will be right where you are, or further along, but you’ll know you’re in the right spot when you don’t feel intimidated by them, rather welcomed into the fold just as you are. Remember, “fitting in” is different from “belonging”. You’ll know the difference. Friendships at the new place will help keep you accountable and consistent—what a win!
5. Check in with reality—often. Social media has a chokehold on our society, and although it’s not really something we can back away from, it’s something that we need to consider. We see a carefully manicured snapshot of someone’s body, life, diet, routine. A moment. That moment is what they’ve chosen to let you see. It in no way encompasses a journey you can see or feel, or shows the highs and lows or pros and cons of what they’re doing. It may be inspiring, it also may be an angle. You may see something that you want, but without knowledge, we may not be sure what it is we’re asking for. Comparison is overrated—let it go. Your journey is what matters for you.
6. Know better, do better. For those of you who feel easily intimidated by a workout, loathe sketchy human interaction, or are dealing with physical injury or emotional load, you want a place where you feel at ease. A physical workout can be a trigger for some, but if you’re in the right place, your instructors understand this. No one should be touching you without your express permission or forcing you into anything, and sconsummate professional will not have their shirt off while they’re coaching.
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