Start the New Year Right: Tips for Staying Consistent with Your Goals

Right before the start of the new year, we shared several tips for easing into your workout routine after the holidays. Now let’s discuss how you can stay on top of your goals and reach your fitness destination this 2023. We will also be talking about the best Garmin products you can take with you on your adventures so you have a partner for when you are ready to start your journey towards fitness.

New year means new routine and new challenges. It also means a packed schedule full of meetings and, for some, field work. So the question is: how can one stay consistent with their goals while trying to keep up with the demands of work and life in general?

It all boils down to one thing: planning.

Creating a planner is one of the surefire ways to achieve consistency. Your planner has to have everything you need to guide yourself through your workouts and your outdoor escapades. It does not matter if it’s a digital or a tangible, handwritten planner; what matters is that it’s organized and detailed enough so you won’t lose your direction.

To help you further, listed below are tips on how you can stay on track and eventually get to where you want to see yourself at the end of the year.

1. Always remember that you’re doing this for yourself.

If you already have a workout plan in place, then you are starting the year right.  If you’re still hesitating, that is also fine. Maybe you’re having second thoughts because of what the people around you have been saying or the environment you are in is just not conducive for working out. That is understandable, but it doesn’t mean you can just give up. 

To get yourself going, try to ask, “Who am I doing this for?” You will realize that external factors should not hinder you from achieving your goals. At the end of the day, you are doing what’s best for you. If you persevere, you will eventually see the results you’ve always wanted.

If you’re planning to start running, it pays to have a device that can keep up with you. Try Garmin’s Forerunner series of smartwatches. These devices will help you keep track of your progress as you run, whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game for a long time.

2. Be organized and systematic.

Having a planner helps you establish a systematic and organized approach to your day-to-day activities. Jot down which exercises you want to do for the day or what route you want to conquer. Consider each day as a chance to keep moving towards your goals. To help you stay organized, the Garmin Venu or Lily can help you track your important health stats, your hydration, and your workouts. For women, it also has a menstrual tracker and reminder that lets you know when your next cycle begins. With this, you can gauge whether it is a good day to go outside or stay indoors. 

3. Remind yourself of why you started. 

It is always better to be reminded of why you are doing this in the first place. In the first tip, we mentioned that you have to remember for whom you started working out. But it is also important to take note of why you started. Athletes did not become experts at their game overnight. Their success involves a long period of training, and one thing that drives them to keep going is the fact that they have something they want to achieve.

4. Visualize the results.

Those who are looking to lose the pounds track their progress by taking photos of themselves. Those who are constantly working out also tend to record videos of themselves while they are treading the mill or lifting the weight. You can do the same. Having a good picture of your progress and what you want to achieve can motivate you to push further and perform better. Visualization is also the key to getting in good form. It feels good and encouraging to see yourself getting closer to achieving the shape you have always wanted.

5. Surround yourself with positive people.

There are a lot of communities, online and offline, with people who will encourage you to do more than your usual workouts or routine. Try to join one! Being around people who share the same goals will push you to do better. When you have this group of fitness enthusiasts who know what it feels like to train and work out for days on end, you will feel included and understood. You will also get to know all the possible hurdles you might encounter along the way as you have people who have gone through the same thing.

6. Accept that you can’t control everything.

There will be days when you feel like everything’s not going  your way, and it is important that you do not dwell in those moments. If you don’t feel like going outside for a run, jogging in place is a good alternative. If the weather doesn’t seem good enough to go for a bike, indoor cycling would do the trick. At times like these, you need a device that will help you reach your daily goals. Garmin’s Tacx Boost or the Tacx Antares Basic Trainer makes a good fitness partner. When you have one of these devices, indoor cycling becomes no different from an outdoor activity. It allows you to challenge yourself with the different levels of adjustable resistance and more features to keep the activity engaging and fun.

7. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.

Remember that your goals are the bigger picture here. Losing a couple of pounds, getting stronger, agile, and disciplined are all part of that bigger picture, so never lose hope if you’re not seeing immediate results. There are greater things you can achieve if you just keep going.

8. Have a consistent attitude

Being consistent means having a consistent attitude. Always have your sights on your goals. If you feel like you’re not getting there, try different workouts or sports, join marathons, or change the environment. To guide you, Garmin has the perfect wearables for the job. The fenix 7 Series can help you track your swims or any activity you are into. If it’s freediving you want to take on next, the Garmin Descent series of dive computers make a good fit. These devices are built for both your worlds, underwater and offshore. There’s also the Descent TI Transmitter that you can pair with a Descent dive computer so you can track your every breath with unmatched accuracy. Or if you want to try golfing, you can practice your swings with the Garmin Approach RIO, a portable monitor and golf simulator, or the Approach S62, which is a premium GPS golf watch with a virtual caddie.

9. Keep in mind that you are what you do daily.

They often say “You are what you eat.” This remains true when it comes to fitness. Not just that, you are what you do daily too. As you try to reach your destination, you will see changes in how you look, the smoothness of your skin,  and your overall outlook towards life. You will get the kind of glow you would have never gotten otherwise. 

10. Don’t let self-doubt creep in.

Everything we’ve mentioned here are tips you’ve probably heard somewhere else. But one thing we want you to never forget is this: never let self-doubt creep in. Yes, there will be days when you look at yourself in the mirror and negative thoughts start clouding your vision. Get rid of those thoughts. If working out outdoors seems impossible for you, try at-home workouts. Also, take the time to check on your nutritional status. If you find something you know you can improve on, work on it. And most importantly, don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back. 

The year just started and taking on the path to fitness will surely bring numerous challenges you’ve never taken on before. But do not give up and continue trying. With the right attitude and the right partner device from Garmin, nothing is impossible.

Starting today, always choose health. Choose Garmin.