As we approach the beginning of a new year, excitement is rising and motivation is building. Those New Year’s resolutions are set with fuel behind the fire to help you get started, but eventually, all the enthusiasm and anticipation will disappear, and you’re left with two choices­—keep the momentum going or slowly fall back into your old ways.

The difference between those who succeed and those who fail is commitment. People who remain committed to their New Year’s goals will go on to accomplish them, and people who do not will inevitably set the same goals again when another year rolls around. So, how do you stay committed to your resolutions in 2022? Here are a few simple tips to help you figure that out.

Have a Plan

Now that you know what you want to accomplish in the New Year, it’s time to sit down and create a plan of action. It’s one thing to say you’re going to work out and eat healthy, but it’s another to actually map out what that looks like on a daily basis. Take a moment to think about your fitness resolutions and write down what you’ll need to do to succeed. Include plenty of actionable steps to get you to your end goal, like what days and times you want to work out each week and what healthy meals you want to cook.

Be Realistic

Unfortunately, you can’t get in shape overnight—it takes weeks, even months, to start seeing progress on your health and fitness goals when you start working out. That’s why it’s so important for you to be realistic when setting your goals and expectations. Whether you’re looking to lose weight or build strength, it’s going to take time. Don’t get discouraged when things aren’t moving as quickly as you’d like and be sure to follow a timeline that makes sense for what you want to accomplish.

Start with Some Micro Goals

If you want little victories to celebrate along the way, then why not set some micro-goals? Micro goals are smaller, more manageable tasks that take less time to accomplish than the overarching goal. An easy way to figure out what your micro-goals should be is to work backward from the main goal and outline the steps it will take for you to get there. For example, if you want to build a new fitness routine this year, one of your micro-goals could be to work out at least 3 times per week. If you want to build muscle, then your micro goal might be to drink a protein shake after every workout.  

Record Your Progress

When you commit to a new fitness resolution, recording your progress is going to be key to staying motivated and on track to reach your goals. Fitness transformations happen physically and mentally, so you don’t always need to focus on the physical effects to see results. There are multiple ways to record your progress, including tracking your calories or overall weight loss, but you can also document your journey by filming vlogs, taking progress pictures, or writing in a workout journal. Some 9Round studios offer InBody scans, which can help you track your body composition over time as you continue working toward your goals.

Set New Challenges

Keep things interesting by creating new challenges for yourself as you progress in your fitness journey. These challenges can stop you from becoming complacent with your workout routine, which can help prevent you from hitting a plateau. A challenge could be anything, like improving your CHOW score by the end of the week or lifting heavier weights by the end of the month. Whatever you decide to do, just make sure it’s something that’s difficult enough that you must work for it, but not so difficult that it makes you feel like giving up.

Find a Punch Partner

Nothing beats punching it out with your bestie at 9Round! Having a workout buddy can help keep you accountable for your fitness resolutions, and it makes working out at the studio even more fun. Now is the perfect time to start asking people to kick it with you because they’re also thinking about those New Year’s fitness and health goals too. So, pick up the phone and call your new punch partner now, so you can both get fit in 2022!

Practice Self-Discipline

There will inevitably be a day when you don’t feel like working out, but it’s important that you stick to your workout schedule no matter what. Self-discipline is often the difference between those who go on to accomplish their goals and those who continue to set the same goals year after year. No one is coming to force you to work out; you’ve got to learn how to push yourself and have self-discipline on those days where exercising is the last thing you want to do.

Reward Yourself

Once you get used to your new routine, it’s easy to forget all the hard work you’re doing to achieve your goals, so don’t forget to reward yourself along the way when you hit certain milestones, no matter how small they may be. Whether it’s a new pair of athletic shoes after your 50th workout or finally booking that beach trip when you’re halfway to your weight-loss goal, rewarding yourself can help you stay motivated to continue working toward those fitness resolutions.  

Let 9Round help you work toward your 2022 resolutions! We’ve got a triple-threat approach to wellness that includes KILLER workouts, 9Round nutrition, and accountability from your Champion Kickboxing Instructors. If you’re ready to kickstart your goals for the new year, then sign up for a free introductory session at your local studio now. We can’t wait to kick it with you!