New Year, New Goals and How To Stick With Them
Some tips and tricks to help you stick to those New Years fitness goals.
As we enter a new year, everyone is out in full force taking on their new years resolutions, and we thought we could offer a few tips to help you make the most of your fitness goals for the Great North Run.
1. It’s ok to set small goals
One of the main reasons people find themselves slipping away from their new years resolutions is because they had set unrealistic goals that were too difficult to maintain long-term. Building up slowly over time is a far better approach, and you can still improve your muscle strength with short bouts of exercise.
2. It takes 66 days to form a new habit
Research has found that it can take more than 66 days to form a new habit that you’re more likely to keep up with long term. That means, whatever goals you set, should be easy to implement into your daily or usual routine, to be able to reach more than 66 days
3. Do it with a friend
Sometimes, buddying up with someone with similar goals can encourage you to keep it up as well as make the experience more fun. You could set similar targets for each week, say, increase your run by 1k or an extra 15 minutes, or you can challenge each other to see who does the fastest time. If you’re unsure on who could be a buddy, you could join our Great North Run facebook group and find someone to join you. Either way, it’s bound to make your new years resolution much more interesting!
4. Track your progress
It’s hard to keep up a new years resolution if you don’t see any immediate results. Sometimes your progress isn’t always visible, but you will most definitely be progressing. Try downloading apps like Strava that tracking your running speed, time and length and see your improvement that way.
5. You deserve rewards
Often, when starting new years resolutions, people can go too hard on themselves and cut out things they used to enjoy as a way to be their “new selves”. We think you still deserve those rewards, whether it be a post run treat or regular rest days, make sure you take the time to look after yourself.
As always, we’re so excited for the Great North Run in September and especially this year as we celebrate our 70th Birthday. Do you know any friends or family that want to take on a challenge this year? We look forward to seeing you there!
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