So I've done what half of America does every year around this time: I've made a resolution to get my flabby body into shape. I make this resolution every year, but I never stick to it. Do you have any advice for me and all the other slobs out there who aspire to fitness and health but just can't seem to stick with it? - Big Bertha Gottesfeld, New York
The January rush to the gym has always been one of the more amusing/irritating gym phenomena I've encountered. It's amusing because, hey, it's pretty damn funny to see all the New Year's Resolutionists wandering aimlessly around the weights, or draping themselves on a cardio machine for 10 minutes. It's irritating because of the same reason: the gym here is packed enough without all the Resolutionists, so when they make their annual appearance, I feel like I am walking down Fifth Avenue during the holiday shopping season (read: it's really crowded). Anyway, my own ramblings aside, here are some helpful tips to keep you motivated and hopefully still working out by the time the weather gets warmer.
Be realistic
Don't pick up a magazine and point to some fitness model's diamond cut body and think, "Yeah, that's what I want to look like in a month." Setting unrealistic goals is a sure way to shoot yourself in the foot. Start slowly. Set goals that are attainable. They can be goals of body composition ("I want to drop three percent body fat in the next month"), of performance ("I want to be able to run a mile without stopping to catch my breath"), or simply of fashion, as in fitting into those jeans you haven't been able to wear since you strapped on the freshman 15.
Keep a log
Buy a little notebook and record your progress. Keep track of your workouts and jot notes about how you feel after each one. Every once in a while, look back over past workouts to see how far you've come. Writing things down is the easiest way to make your aspirations of fitness concrete. It's also a great way to make going to the gym a habit. Consistency is key when it comes to changing your body. Keeping a daily log goes a long way to ensuring this consistency.
Bring a buddy
Finding a workout buddy will make it easier to stick to your gym commitments. If you find yourself slacking, he/she can help you pick up the intensity. You'll also be much more likely to get in the gym if you have someone waiting for you. A buddy can provide a little healthy competition, helping you push yourself harder than you normally would. However, remember that you are really competing against yourself and the innate laziness that consumes your soul whenever you think about working out. Competition is good, but only if it keeps you going.
Get a trainer
Hiring a personal trainer to get started is a great way to ensure that you are getting off on the right foot. It will cut down on that aimless wandering I mentioned earlier, and a trainer is a great motivator (you're paying for him/her, so you better make it count). If you're a student and cheap, check out the Tufts Personalized Performance Program (TPPP) program. It provides free personal training to students. Pick up a flyer in the gym or e-mail Francis.Otting@tufts.edu for more information.
