How To Ease Into A Healthy January

January is here again, and with it the constant pressure to ‘get back out there’, and ‘be our best self’ after the Christmas indulgence.

But, after a season where even the most motivated of us would have prioritised having fun over working out, getting back to training might take a bit more than just tying up our trainers and getting on with it.

Here are some ways to ease yourself back into a fitter, healthier new year.

Easy does it

It’s tempting to go into January all guns blazing, particularly after some time away from exercise. But we have to understand that our bodies might need a little more time to get back up to ‘pre-Christmas’ fitness, and that overworking them could lead to burnout, and make you dread a workout rather than enjoy it.

Set yourself up to win

Take the pressure off by setting short-term goals and making small changes in January - simple things that you know you can stick to, like seeing how far you can run, or what you can lift after the Christmas break.

Small changes in the long term are more effective than larger ones in the short term, plus, setting out small will help keep burnout at bay.

Don’t restrict yourself too much

And the same goes for your diet. We know it’s tempting to compensate for those extra Christmas pounds by aggressively cutting back calories, but for better long-term results, stick to a diet rich in protein, vegetables and fruit.

This isn’t about a faddy 30-day transformation, this is about long-term changes that you can stick to throughout the year.

Be consistent

If you go too hard off the blocks in January, you can end up in the unhealthy restrict/binge cycle that lots of us find ourselves in at this time of year.

Consistency is key to getting back on track and into a sustainable, regular workout routine. The more often you work out, the easier it will become, and it doesn’t take long to build a new habit, we promise 😉  

Plan ahead

If it’s in the diary, it’s getting done. Simple as that. Putting your workouts into your diary is a super simple, yet super effective way of ensuring that there are no excuses for not having the time to exercise.

Sit with your diary on a Sunday night and plan the week ahead, you won’t regret it.

You still need rest

You might feel like you’ve had too much rest over Christmas, but that means your body is less prepared for exercise, and your fitness levels might take time to get back up to speed.

So factor in rest days, and focus on getting some good quality sleep.

Step to it

Walking is great for your overall health and fitness, so set a realistic step goal and get out there in the fresh air. You'll soon feel less stressed and have more energy.  

Enjoy it

Exercise doesn’t have to be boring! We say it all the time.

The biggest motivator is finding a type of exercise that you enjoy - and there are so many different ways to exercise out there. If it’s fun, you’re more likely to stick with it and smash your goals.

Find someone that keeps you motivated

Choose to train with someone that motivates you. That could be a friend, or a personal trainer, as long as they have your health and fitness in mind, are supportive and can help you measure your progress and set goals.

Whether you can’t wait to get back out there and smash it or are taking tiny, tentative steps back to exercise, remember, fitness is a marathon, not a sprint.

Take care of yourself and you’ll get there.

You got this 👊