New Year’s resolutions are starting to become a little bit annoying – let’s be honest.
The sentiment behind them is absolutely honourable and vows to quit our bad health habits, lose weight and get fit are undoubtedly the best things we can do.
But how many of us actually stick to them?
According to a 2017 YouGov poll one in five of us had already started to slip just six days in!
By 2019 just 22% of Brits questioned by YouGov were making New Year’s resolutions with 62% saying they weren’t making any at all.
Women were more likely to with 24% saying they were promising to make lifestyle changes compared to 19% of men.
So it seems we’re losing the will to have willpower when a new year dawns, which seems a shame when those changes would have such positive health benefits.
The problem appears to be rooted in the goals we set ourselves; they’re either too vague or they’re unrealistic.
A couple of setbacks and we tend to throw in the towel.
So, to really make a difference a change in attitude is needed, says Active Tameside’s fitness instructor and health and fitness guru, Matthew Wilkinson.
“Health and fitness New Year’s resolutions have started to get a bad reputation because they have a notoriously low success rate,” says Matt.
“In general, people’s new year’s resolutions are too vague when it comes to their health and fitness.
“Simply, ‘getting a bit fitter and losing some weight’ isn’t very specific.
“Going to the gym for two weeks will make you a little bit fitter and perhaps make you lose a couple pounds, but is that what you wanted to achieve?”
So this is where we turn the New Year thing on its head.
Don’t just look to the weeks ahead, advises Matt, focus on the whole of 2020 to make smaller, more manageable changes which will stay with you for life.
Here’s Matt’s advice to taking the first steps to a ‘new you’ forever:
For example your monthly break down could look like this:
Matt’s final words of wisdom:
“Remember, goals are great to keep you focused in the short term, but you need to realise ultimately, there is no end goal.
“Leading a fit and healthy life should be something you do as habit like brushing your teeth or having a shower (hopefully!)”
“So make this the last time you start a New Year’s resolution to be fit and healthy – because next year, it’ll be a habit set in stone – once you achieve that, the rest is easy.”
Your card, your choice. Choice is a great thing in life, so you’ve come to the right place. With so many ways to spend your Active Choice Card you’ll never be stuck for fun family times, fitness and wellbeing times, Fuel cafes catch-up times and for those activity must-haves (forgotten the goggles, stylish swimwear) you can also spend it at our in-centre stores.
