By Hannah Powling
Let’s face it – January may be the prime time for plenty of new fitness resolutions but it’s arguably the hardest time of the year to drag yourself out of bed when it’s dark and cold at 5am for those early morning workouts!
Finding the motivation during the winter months and shorter days is pretty important too – as we are all in need of a little energy boost to get us out of that hibernation mode we tend to have at this time of year. Of course, to lose those Christmas pudding/roast dinner extra pounds is a good reason a lot of us tend to go on January diets, but exercise is extremely beneficial to boost your health and wellbeing, plus increasing your energy and productivity.
Sometimes you just need more of a push than ‘it’s January’ to get you motivated. Here’s some pointers that might just help you achieve your goals and get you feeling great too…
1. Schedule
Get a diary if you haven’t already, and mark out the dates that you plan to go to the gym or for a run. That way you avoid that “should I go today? I can just go tomorrow…” debate that goes through your mind when you’re warm in bed; as it will already be pre-decided and it’ll become part of a routine rather than a daily decision.
2. Waking Up
Get some light! Being woken up suddenly with your alarm in the dark is not the best way to start your day. We are all familiar with that dread that goes through us when we hear that noise. Which is why you should try out something a little more gradual, and we can’t exactly rely on natural sunlight to come beaming through our windows right now. The Philips Wake Up Light (£59) gradually lights up from soft dawn reds through warm orange to bright yellow in 30 mins before your set alarm time and your chosen sound starts to play.
Why not try waking up to your favourite song? Preferably choose an upbeat one if your favourite song happens to be classical renditions by Ludovico Einaudi..
3. Work out in style
Go on, give yourself a reason to bag yourself some exciting new gym workout gear to wear – it’ll give you that little bit more commitment too (to get your money’s worth right?). Opt for something bright; seeing as the dark clothes tend to make their debut during the winter months. Hey, you can also use this to reward yourself and buy some new wicked trainers to match your lovely sports bra once you start making some progress.
4. Get a gym buddy
Going at this alone is a tough one for some of us; and having someone to mutually push will make you much more likely to stick to your sessions. Plus it’s a great excuse to see more of your best friends… Perfect.
5. Set realistic goals
This might be an obvious one but it really is important. Don’t make your goals too daunting or hard for yourself, because usually we give up on unrealistic targets we set ourselves as we don’t see or feel like we are able to reach them or seeing any progress. Take smaller steps and then once you see the improvements you’re making it’ll feel so much better.
Jason Vale, celebrity wellbeing expert aka the ‘Juice Master‘, comments: “If you’re like the majority of people, you may well just be feeling a little, well, delicate after the onslaught of Christmas and New Year. Chances are you may also have overindulged somewhat and your mind is probably screaming, ‘I NEED A DETOX!’. But don’t worry if attempts haven’t gone to plan – today marks the day that people can restart their new year’s health and fitness regimes without the fear of temptation leading them to fall off the wagon.”
In partnership with QVC Wellbeing, Jason has offered some of his top tips to keep on those January New Year’s Resolutions.
Some you might actually think, ‘what’s this got to do with fitness?’ – but we agree that these little considerations are just as important to keep you on the right road to achieve your goals in life. And feeling damn good about it too. Hurrah!
1. Tell the people close to you that you love them
2. Visualise your goals on a daily basis
3. Feed your body nourishing foods
4. Feed your mind nourishing information
5. Have a glass of freshly extracted juice daily
6. Take physical exercise and get plenty of fresh air every day
7. Treat others as you would like others to treat you
8. Do something worthwhile for someone else every day
9. Be grateful for what you have, not what you think you can’t have
10. Understand at any given moment you have the choice – embrace life!
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Take a look at our top pick of Wellness Apps to keep your body and mind on top form…
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