Every January, millions of people all around the country make a resolution to lead a healthier lifestyle and get more exercise. At Resurgens Orthopaedics, we're ecstatic that so many people are interested in focusing on their health and getting regular exercise. We also know that achieving your fitness goals is often easier said than done; if you want to push through and get the results you want, you'll have to find a way to stick with it, even when the going gets tough. If you've made a fitness-related resolution for 2020, here are a few tips to help you stay on track so you can make this year the one you develop healthy habits that last the rest of your life!

Create a Specific, Measurable (and Manageable) Goal

If you hope to make good on your New Year's resolution, it's important that you have a specific goal in mind. For best results, make sure it's something you can track, and that it's something you can realistically achieve. As an example, don't resolve to simply "lose weight." Instead, pick a specific number that's achievable, like losing 10 pounds by March. That way, you can track your progress and stay motivated by the results you're seeing.

Make a Plan to Achieve Your Goal

You'll never achieve great things unless you have a plan. When it comes to fitness, we suggest creating a schedule for your workouts and treat them like you would any other important appointment. Writing down this schedule on a calendar or in a planner will help you remember it. One study determined that writing down your goals makes you 42% more likely to achieve them, so let your fitness schedule be a written record of how far you've come and where you plan to go in the future!

Be Accountable to Yourself and Others

Most people tend to go easy on themselves when it comes to their fitness goals. Just remember that one missed workout can easily lead to another, and before you know it, your resolution has gone off the rails. If you have trouble being accountable to yourself, it might help you to bring in someone else to be your accountability buddy. When you work with a friend or family member on achieving your fitness goals together, you can be accountable to each other and you'll both be much more likely to succeed.

Mix Things Up!

Remember that fitness doesn't have to be a chore, and that if you're not enjoying your workouts, it will be much easier for you to give up on them. If your fitness routine is becoming tedious, don't be afraid to mix things up! If you usually jog on a treadmill, try taking your run outside sometimes. You can even do something completely different, like joining a dodgeball league or going for a hike in the woods. There are a million ways to get the exercise you need to achieve your fitness goals, so keep things fun and it will be easier to stay motivated.

If you've made a commitment to getting fit in 2020, Resurgens Orthopaedics wants to help! The tips listed above are just a few general ways to stay motivated, so don't be afraid to do some research and find something that works for you. We wish you luck on achieving you fitness goals this year; we know you can do it, so don't give up!