So, it’s the new year, which means lots of resolutions. I’ll be honest with you guys, I’m not the biggest fan of new years resolutions. Well, I shouldn’t say that. It’s just that, I think each day you can set goals for yourself, gain new perspectives, change for the better. However, the new year does have the mentality of a “fresh start” which doesn’t hurt.

I know this is a time for a lot of people to start making their health a priority. So with that said, I’m giving some of my favorite tips, or approaches to starting a fitness routine and taking your health more seriously!

• BE PATIENT. I cannot stress this enough. Whatever your goals are, whether they be physical or mental, they will not happen overnight. You will not workout for a few weeks and magically have the body you always hoped for. Nor, will you eat healthy for one day and all of the sudden clean eating will become easy. Be patient.
• Create habits. Habits are key key key. Sure, being motivated is great, but trust me, it only lasts so long. It’s all new and motivating now because its January 1st, but that will pass. Hey! Just being honest. However, if you create habits than you will continue to work towards your goals even when you don’t feel like.
• Consistency. This kind of goes along with habits in the sense that if you create habits, your routine should remain fairly consistent. We all have that one week, or weeks even, where life happens and sticking to your fitness and health goals become difficult, or damn near impossible. BUT. Think of the 80/20 rule. If 80% of the time you’re doing what you need to be doing, you’ll get there.
• Do not compare yourself to others. When I first started working out, I did the BBG program. I saw all these amazing transformations that occurred over 12 weeks, and when I hit my 12 week mark I didn’t look anything like I expected. I was like hmmm, well this isn’t what I thought it would be! But I kept going, and reached my goals at my own pace. We are all unique. We are all different. Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s.
• Don’t be afraid to try new things! Guys, we are all so different. What workouts or diet regimen worked for someone else may not work for you! Find what works for you and don’t be afraid to try new things in order to find it.
• Remember, Instagram is a highlight reel. Don’t think I really need to explain this one. Just don’t compare other’s highlights to your everyday. No one’s life is perfect or exactly what you see on social media.
• You cannot out work a bad diet. Killing yourself at the gym will not get you the physical results you want if your diet is shit. Plain and simple. I personally love a flexible dieting approach, because, well, its flexible. BUT it doesn’t work for everyone. Some people prefer to eat clean 90% of the time and that works for them. Just know that you need a diet regimen/plan.
• Take progress photos! Progress photos will be your best friend, or worse enemy 😉 But really, they will help put your progress into perspective for you much better than the scale will.
• On that note, ditch the scale! Unless you are doing a cut or bulk, you do not need a scale. Don’t worry about the number. Instead, focus on how you feel and how you are looking in the progress pictures.
• Create sustainable and realistic habits and goals. Remember that health is a LIFESTYLE. If you set goals for yourself that are not achievable, you will continue to fail, and continue to feel frustrated which is not a recipe for success! Find ways to incorporate health into your life that you know that with some effort, you can maintain on a fairly regular basis. Again, this jumps back to the consistency tip. Consistency and sustainability will make you successful.

Any other things that you guys find important and helpful? I want to hear them!