Struggling to keep your health and fitness resolutions? Here’s how to get back on track
January is the month when most people give up on their health and fitness resolutions. But Sarah Strefling, director of Beacon Health & Fitness in Granger and Three Rivers, does not want you to quit. She wants to show you how you can turn your frustrations into success.
Here’s where you can find her recent interview on WVPE Healthcare Headlines, and more of the conversation is below.
Q: Why do people just tend to give up on their health and fitness goals?
I think a lot of people start out very ambitious. Then, after the hustle and the bustle of the holidays, reality sets in. You’re headed back to work. You have deadlines. Your kids are back in school. You realize you can’t work out five times a week or seven times a week while balancing your regular responsibilities.
Q: Are there common mistakes people make when they set fitness goals?
Social media is such a big part of it. We see people who are doing what we want to do every day, day in and day out. If you haven’t been working out at all, and suddenly you’re going to the gym five days a week, your body is going to be sore. You’re not giving yourself time to recover, which is actually a big part of a fitness routine. If you’re not getting enough sleep, sleep is also a big piece of recovery and can be a goal in and of itself. So now is the time to revisit the goals you set for yourself and consider making adjustments.
Q: If you’re ready to quit, how do you modify your goals of losing weight or working out?
I think being realistic with yourself that maybe it isn’t an hour workout every time you visit the gym. You might only be able to get to the gym for 10 to 15 minutes. What’s important is making sure you get there, because adding that drive into your routine is key. Our staff will be there to greet you and say “good work,” even when you’re checking in. Knowing that even if you can get 15 minutes of a workout in, that’s still something. You also might adjust your timeline. Or make it less about weight loss and more about how you feel preparing for spring break. The biggest thing to focus on: how many minutes did you move today?
Q: What are some practical ways that people can get past quitting and stay committed?
Committing means holding yourself accountable, and this could mean setting a weekly check-in with yourself. If you had a bad day this week, start fresh tomorrow. Consider an accountability partner, like a friend who calls you and lets you know what they did. Every day is a new day. It’s important not to let what you did yesterday define what you choose to do today. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming when you set unrealistic goals. Give yourself a little bit of grace throughout the process of modifying your goals and striving to reach them.
Q: What would you say to somebody who is discouraged and saying, “I will never do this. I’m ready to quit.”
That would make me sad if someone quit already. Start your day every morning with a pep talk. You haven’t failed because of what you did yesterday. Reset and adjust the goals. Know that every day is a new opportunity to start again. One of the things I love about Beacon Health and Fitness is how our instructors, trainers, even our front desk team all play a part in helping you achieving those goals. We want to help you set realistic goals by creating a plan with you so you can hold yourself accountable. Classes are also a really good way to find camaraderie in a classroom, so you don’t feel like you’re by yourself. It’s important to set goals, but we can avoid letting those goals fall off by adjusting them throughout the year.
Your new healthy habit
Learn more about Beacon Health & Fitness Granger, Elkhart and Three Rivers.
