As much as people make fun of it, the "get in shape" New Year's Resolution is one of the most frequently made and broken resolutions. Every gym junkie dreads January when the gym is filled to the brim with people who made the resolution, but they also know that come mid-February, everything will pretty much be back to normal. And for those who want to make the plunge to a healthier, more active lifestyle, the first step into the gym can be daunting with all those machines and men made entirely out of muscle. So what to do? Start small.
Don't enter 2016 thinking that you will step into a gym, run five miles as a warm up, and then deadlift 300 pounds. Because guess what: you won't. But more importantly: that's OK. No one expects someone who just started to work out (or just started again) to be able to do what seasoned veterans do. And you will be much more likely to give up if you think this is what you're supposed to be doing. Instead, go into each workout with realistic but challenging goals. Working out is about improving yourself, not about comparing yourself to others.
Work toward a goal
One reason that many people give up on working out is because they don't have a defined goal. For some, they have all the motivation they need in a number on a scale or inches on their waist. For others, that just isn't enough. If you want to run more, find a race in your area and train for it. If you want to get stronger, set a weight you want to lift and work toward it.
Start a training program
If you really don't have any specific goal, or you don't know what it is yet because you simply haven't worked out enough, then start a training program. There are so many different types available: some running, some lifting, some free, some you pay for. There may be some trial and error in finding your perfect program, but that can be part of the fun too!
Here are some fairly popular options (they are all quite different, and many are aimed specifically for women): Blogilates, Nike Training Club, Nike+ Running App (you can set your own program for each of these), Kayla Itsines, CHAARG, Crossfit WoDs, POP Sugar, and many, many more.
Train with a friend
Working out with a friend is one of the best ways to keep going. If you have a workout buddy, you have someone else that is holding you accountable and sending you that small "Hey, wanna workout today?" text that will help mobilize your butt off the couch.
Rest days are important
Many people feel guilty when they skip a day at the gym because they think they should be working out all the time. Well, there are a reason that "rest days" exist. Sometimes, your body just needs a break. Overworking your body can be just as unhealthy and harmful as laying in bed all day. And, to be honest, if you're not training to become a world champion, the one day probably won't make much of a difference. So instead of feeling guilty about not working out, enjoy your time off and do something else productive!
You don't need a gym membership
Many people feel like to properly exercise, you must enter a gym. This is not true. First of all, running is best outside, but that can be asking a lot of most people in January given all the snow. There are plenty of workouts that can be done at home. Yoga, body weight exercises, HIIT, cardio, etc. can all be done without a gym. And many people these days have a few free weights or a medicine ball in their house. If you're intimidated by the gym, start at home. Many of the workouts listed above can be done at home with little or no equipment.
