It’s hard to believe we’re already into the year’s fifth month! Our New Year resolutions are a distant memory, and potentially, our best intentions for a healthier lifestyle may have been interrupted by the busyness of everyday life. So, for the month of May, we want to give you some helpful ideas on how to get back on track with your exercise and keep you motivated to keep up your fitness routine. Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or just embarking on your wellness journey, incorporating more activity into your life can bring about transformative benefits for your health and happiness.
Setting Yourself Up for Success:
Before we ‘dive in’, let’s first discuss how to lay the groundwork for success in increasing your fitness levels:
- Set Achievable Goals: Begin by setting realistic goals that align with your fitness aspirations. Whether it’s improving endurance, building strength, or simply incorporating more movement into your daily routine, setting achievable goals will keep you motivated and focused.
- Craft a Plan: Develop a structured plan that outlines when, where, and how you’ll integrate exercise into your daily life. Include incremental challenges so you are constantly building and improving whether it be longer runs or heavier weights. Take into account factors such as shorter daylight hours, cooler temperatures, and indoor exercise options to ensure your plan is both practical and sustainable. And put it in your diary as a way of committing to yourself that you will make it happen!
- Prioritise Consistency: Consistency is key to making progress in your fitness journey. Strive to incorporate movement into your routine regularly, whether through scheduled workouts, active hobbies, or daily movement breaks.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals and adjust your exercise routine as needed. Be mindful of any signs of fatigue or discomfort, and give yourself permission to rest and recover when necessary to prevent injury and burnout.
- Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments along the way, no matter how small. Recognising your progress will bolster your motivation and inspire you to keep pushing towards your goals.
With these foundations laid, here are some ways to help you move more in May:
- Indoor Workouts: As the temperature drops, consider embracing indoor workouts to stay active and warm. Your Fitness Passport membership provides you with access to a variety of partner facilities equipped with indoor gyms, swimming pools, and fitness studios. Explore options such as indoor cycling classes, strength training sessions, and group fitness workouts to keep your fitness routine on track.
- Fitness Challenges Challenge yourself to complete a 30-day fitness challenge, set personal bests in bodyweight exercises, build on your step count or explore new workout styles. It can be as little as 20 minute walk on some days and on others a full power body strength training workout!
- Outdoor Adventures: Embrace the crisp air and invigorate your senses with outdoor activities that celebrate the beauty of the season. Venture outdoors for brisk walks, scenic hikes, or leisurely bike rides. Explore local parks, trails, and nature reserves to reconnect with the natural world while getting your heart pumping and muscles working.
- Personal Connection: Engage your loved ones in family-friendly fitness activities that promote connection and wellbeing. Organise weekend outings such as family walks, a visit to the pool, and backyard games to encourage movement and laughter. Use Fitness Passport’s family-friendly facilities and resources to make fitness a shared experience that brings joy and vitality to your household.
- Mindful Movement Practices: Cultivate mindfulness and inner balance through gentle movement practices such as yoga. This ancient discipline offers a holistic approach to fitness, incorporating elements of strength, flexibility, and relaxation. Check out the range ofparticipating Fitness Passport partnered facilities on your employer program that offer yoga classes for mindful movement.
At Fitness Passport, we are committed to improving our members’ and their families’ health and lives by providing access to a diverse range of facilities and resources. With our support you have the right information, and access, to succeed on your fitness journey, even as the days grow shorter and winter draws near.
For access to the Fitness Passport program, speak to your HR personnel today.