January is well and truly upon us. Blue Monday has been and gone, payday feels like a distant memory and summer couldn’t come fast enough. It’s right about the time when our post-New Year motivation is at its lowest, so we’ve put together some simple and helpful ways to help you along your fitness journey and beat the January slump!
Try something new
Fitness is often associated with going to the gym. It can be hard to find the time and motivation, especially if you’re in the mindset of seeing exercise as a chore and before you know it, you’ve given up. Shift your perceptions by taking up fun activities that get your heart pumping, or something more relaxing if you prefer your exercise at a slower pace. Why not join a running club, start wall climbing at your local activity centre or take up trampolining? Any kind of activity that gets your heart rate up will help you burn calories and even tone up. Give yoga a go or try an early morning swim to stretch your muscles and build strength. You might find yourself a new hobby along the way!
Find inspiration
One of the great things about social media today is being able to connect and engage with inspiring people and content. Depending on the kind of goals you have, search for bloggers and Instagrammers who share their own journeys and progress to give you a continuous stream of ideas and motivation. From fitness bloggers to Slimming World success stories, there are plenty of people out there who are sharing their wisdom and tips to help you reach your goals.
Prep ahead
Whether it’s leftover food from tea-time or a batch of lunches for the week, prepping ahead can save you time and money while keeping you in track. After a month of overindulgence, it can be difficult to eat healthier foods. Meal prep as many meals as you need for the week and you’ll have a menu of healthy, budget-friendly dishes that you can put in the microwave and serve up in minutes. This can help you plan of nutritious meals for the week ahead and stick to your lifestyle goals in the new year. Igluu meal prep containers are available to buy on our website or on Amazon.
Invest in a fitness tracker
Fitness trackers like the Apple Watch and Fitbit are nifty little devices that can motivate you lead a healthy lifestyle. After all, a lack of physical activity can seriously impact your health in the long run. From tracking your activity to monitoring your sleep and weight, they’re an easy way to keep on top of your exercise routine and much more. It takes the guesswork out of tracking those all-important stats, keeping you focused, informed and on track.
Set realistic goals
It's easy to set yourself a huge goal which at the time, feels motivating. However when you're a few weeks in and progress is slow and steady, that big milestone can feel a long way off and you're likely to give up altogether. Instead, plot small, manageable goals that ultimately result in that magic milestone. Whether you're looking to gain 5kg of muscle or shed 7lbs, give yourself the time and flexibility to achieve what you've set out to do. Hardwork pays off in the end, and by ticking off a goal every two or four weeks, you'll stay motivated and on track!
