MENTAL & PHYSICAL CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME THIS NEW YEAR
The new year presents us with an opportunity to renew our enthusiasm for fitness. Especially so if we have come head on with physical and mental challenges that have resulted in failure to achieve previously set fitness goals. Here are a few tips on how to overcome these obstacles to become healthier and stronger versions of ourselves this brand new year.
Try Something New
Factors behind why we end up not sticking to specific fitness resolutions that were previously set are different for each individual. For some, it could be because a workout was not able to challenge their bodies the way they wanted it to. It could also be because a workout intensity was too fatiguing, which led to them being unable to cope with the physical asks of a specific exercise. One way to help you power through either one of these challenges this year would be to do something new.
Joining a boxing class will help you sharpen your boxing skills and techniques, which include jabs, hooks and uppercuts. The class will also incorporate the use of natural movements to work your whole body, while improving overall strength, fitness and functionality at the same time. Over time, you will be able to develop boxing power, core stability and muscular endurance.
Overcome Procrastination
Another factor why we ended up failing to reach last year’s fitness goals is because of the repetitive nature of a workout. This leads to us procrastinating instead of performing, which in turn impedes achievement of overall physical and mental benefits for our wellbeing.
Forget about last year’s mundane workouts by incorporating a fitness routine that inspires you to get up and move. Dancing is an example of a workout that can help you overcome the challenge of procrastination. Performing different Latin dances such as the Cha-Cha, Samba and Rumba will help you get in shape and build up experience within the Latin dance community.
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Stop Doubting Yourself
A mental challenge that may have prevented us from achieving last year’s fitness resolutions is self-doubt. This is particularly commonplace amongst individuals who live sedentary lifestyles, or have hit a plateau with a specific workout. These negative conditions can create a sense of doubt about their ability to advance their fitness routines to a higher level.
An effective method that can be used to beat this mental challenge is to start slow and progress gradually. It is also important that you are aware of how your body responds to exercises. One way you can do so is to train like a warrior. If you are just starting out, the intensity and complexity of the moves will be adjusted to suit your fitness level. This workout features movements such as crawls, climbs, jumps, lifts, squats, push and pull exercises, and sprints to develop total-body strength and functional fitness.
Break Through the Pain
Having to cope with pain that accompanies a workout can be physically arduous for some individuals. Particularly when waking up every morning feeling sore during the recovery period. This sore feeling is what sometimes leads people to stop working out altogether. Luckily, there are a few fitness routines which actually provide pain relief, whilst encouraging mindfulness and improvement of overall wellbeing.
Including hot flow yoga as part of your new year’s fitness routine will help you weave through a carefully crafted sequence of poses in a room that is set to a specific temperature. The warmth of the room will help you loosen muscles and joints, enabling you to perform deeper stretches, apart from flushing out toxins in your body through sweat. The heat will also challenge your mental focus, helping you to build willpower and mental resolve in the process.
Face Your Insecurities
If you have not stepped into a gym for a workout before, your first time can be a daunting experience, especially when it comes to use of gym equipment. The only way to get over this initial fear and break through your insecurities would be to ask. Most of the time, the gym staff, trainers and other gym-goers will be able to assist you.
Another way you can overcome your insecurity at the gym would be to join a group training workout. Joining an indoor run-based workout will help you become a stronger and faster runner. Through training that involves different planes of motion, you will be able to build functional strength, speed and endurance, while developing a sense of camaraderie with your peers.
Prevailing over physical and mental challenges is a stairway to achieving your fitness resolutions for the new year. And if you are able to maintain consistency, stay disciplined and continuously create excitement within your fitness routine, you will be on the right path towards achieving all the goals you have set come year end.
