2016 - #mission - Where to start?

Welcome to 2016! you may have thought to yourself you want to get fitter, lose some weight, bulk, or one of the other many new years resolutions that are out there!

Firstly, well done! you have decided to make a change in your life, no matter how big or small the fact you have decided to make that change is a big step.

I am here to give you a few tips on where to start if your resolution involves the gym, fitness or nutrition.

So to begin:

1) HAVE A REALISTIC GOAL!

- there is no point in making this change to your exercise or diet if you do not have an end goal, This will give you something to strive towards and make any pain worthwhile! so whether it is a wedding, a holiday, a fitness challenge (tough mudder and the sorts) get it in your mind, write it down and shout it to the world! One way I have been doing this is through my #mission where I have encouraged folk to tell me their mission for the year, mine is #missionwedding as I get married in June!

2) SET MINI GOALS IN BETWEEN!

- Rome was not built in a day (heard that before huh?) and your body does not change in a day either, fitness and health should be a lifestyle that you choose, with sweets and chocolate being a treat every now and again. So if your #mission is to lose weight, set yourself some realistic mini goals along the way that will help you to the end, also don't be afraid to move the end date if you have a slight set back (unless of course it is for a wedding then you better hop to it!) An example would be my end goal is a wedding in 5 months, every month I am going to do my body assessment and see if I can lose 2-3% of body fat each month (some months I will lose more, some less, as long) and as long as I lose something that is fine!

3) SCHEDULE YOUR WORKOUT TIME!

- If you put your mind to it, you will decide not to go to the gym because you 'don't have time' or you are too busy, well if you write it in your diary as a 'fitness meeting' or book into a class, you will be less likely to not go as you will have blocked time out for it. Think of your workout time in the same respects as a doctor's appointment or the dentist, you wouldn't cancel on those unless you really needed to right? think back to the end goal and your mini goals and they should see you through

4) MIX IT UP EVERY MONTH OR SOONER!

- Like me you probably get bored of doing the same routine, at the same time, in the same space in the studio, well shake it up! doing something different every 4 weeks or even sooner will stop your body from plateau-ing as you are then using the muscles in a different way and also doing different things, this will also help you stay motivated, but if you are still enjoying your routine, by all means stick to it!

5) DON'T STOP BECAUSE OF A SETBACK

- it is easy for me to say keep trying even when things don't go your way. But, no road is perfectly smooth is it?

If the results are not immediate and you don't achieve exactly what you want, ask for help and try something differentthat will potentially push you over the finish line!

There you have it 5 quick tips on getting started this year!