Tackle 2020 With Realistic Health Goals

It’s a brand new year and, many you may have started ticking off your list of goals. From eating healthier, getting up for a morning jog, and prioritising work objectives we tend to draw up these goals to make the best of a fresh start but do not put in any work to ensure we stay motivated along the journey. We can all rush to the nearest gym facility and enrol for monthly classes, but how confident are we that we will follow through on this commitment to a fitter year? By speaking to professionals, visiting nearby physiotherapy clinics and creating a routine that works – you are certain to ensure that you don’t just throw in the towel by the end of January.

It is essential that you begin looking at where you are, and where you would like to be as the year progresses, especially when it comes to your health. This gives you the groundwork to start developing realistic goals, but before challenging yourself to a 10km run, it is imperative to review your current health and fitness with a professional.

1) Consult A Physio 

By consulting with a physiotherapist regularly, you can assess your body strength and start conditioning it to support your objectives throughout 2020. It also allows for previous injuries and damage to be looked at to ensure that any further physical activity will not worsen existing conditions. A physio can assist you with creating effective stretching and strengthening exercises, evaluate your running and lifting techniques and best advise you on safe ways to increase your running distances, weights you should lift and more. It is advantageous to measure your improvement with a professional, as they can adapt routines and provide injury reduction treatment to your adapting fitness and body.

2) Start Now 

A significant reason as to why many people struggle with fitness goals as the months go by is because of the sudden start instead of a gradual build-up. Even if you are not an active person right now, start by taking a daily walk or taking on cycling. Aim to get active as January progresses for at least 15 minutes a day with a slow build-up so that when February hits, this will eliminate the feeling of being overwhelmed later in the month.

3) Create Weekly-Monthly Goals 

It can be daunting to look at a filled in calendar, with scheduled training slotted in for the rest of the year. And so, it is essential to consider starting off your renewed health journey by implementing weekly or monthly goals with a physiotherapist, in relation with your current fitness health. This is an opportunity to work realistic goals into your schedule without feeling inconvenienced because of a lack of time as well. Instead of working out every day for 60 minutes in the first week, consider only two or three sessions with rest days in between to ensure your body has sufficient time to recover and you stay motivated.

If getting fit in 2020 is an aspiration, but you are unsure of how to proceed on creating measurable and realistic goals – consider visiting nearby physiotherapy clinics to encourage you in a positive and fulfilling manner. As professionals, we want to keep you moving, to challenge you but also aid against injury and provide support. If you are interested in booking an appointment with Cairnhill Physiotherapy, speak to us today.