It’s almost the new year which means it’s time for resolutions! Exercising regularly lowers a person’s risk of developing some diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Exercise also can help keep your body at a healthy weight. Not only that, but exercise also reduces the effects of aging as well as stress and anxiety – which, after 2020 – a lot of us might need. For today’s New Year’s resolutions feature, we will be giving you a list of resolutions that are all related to exercise. Need that little motivational push? Keep reading!

Formulate Achievable Goals and Milestones

Instead of formulating your ultimate goal as what you are working toward, break your goal down into achievable milestones. If you want to lose 30 pounds, think of it as a goal of losing five pounds a month for six months. If you want to add muscle mass, you can aim for putting on a pound of muscle a month. If you want to run a 5K, try intervals of walking and jogging to get to the first mile, then the second, then the third. Keep in mind that your goals may shift as you work toward them.

Do What You Like

There is a principle in exercise science called FITTE. It is an acronym for frequency, intensity, time, type, and enjoyment. I find the ‘E’ to often be the most important variable. If you look forward to (or at least do not actively hate) a particular physical activity, do it. If you like tennis, find an indoor court. If you like dancing, look into dance-based workouts like Zumba. Do whatever will make your move. Just because you know things like running and jumping are great cardio does not mean they have to be your thing.

Something is Always Better Than Nothing

I hear the question all the time, “if I can only get to the gym for half an hour, is it worth it?” My answer is always a resounding, “Yes! It is worth it!” You can get a lot done in half an hour and it keeps you in the habit of exercising.