01 Jan 10 tips to help you set a New Year’s fitness resolution

If you haven’t set a New Year’s Resolution yet, what are you waiting for?
The end of one year and the start of another is a great time to assess where your life is at and strive to make improvements. Most of us should probably take steps to get more fit.
The more specific the resolution, the better the chance you’ll keep it. Here are 10 ideas to help you get and stay more fit in 2014:
1. Make fitness a priority. You schedule the rest of your life – from work and doctor and kids appointments – so you should also schedule in time in advance to exercise.
2. Invest in fitness equipment. Get a machine such as a treadmill or elliptical for your home. Being able to exercise in your own home offers convenience and can be cheaper in the long run than belonging to a health club or gym.
3. Expand your fitness horizons. Find new ways to exercise, such as using kettlebells or sign up for a fitness class or event.
4. Keep a log of your workouts. It will help add motivation and help you have more information on your fitness regimen.
5. Try to find a workout partner. Having accountability between workout partners to be there for each other is really helpful for some people. Plus, it can be more fun to exercise with someone else.
6. Make staying fit a “family value.” Find fit activities the entire family can partake in. Work with your significant other to find a schedule that will allow both of you to spend regular time exercising.
7. Eat healthy. Exercising every day won’t help as much if you’re not consuming a healthy diet. Don’t go to the grocery store hungry and don’t keep junk food in the house
8. Make smart lifestyle choices. If you are a smoker, try to quit and drink alcohol in moderation if you’re going to drink at all.
9. Upgrade your fitness wardrobe. This can provide added motivation and wearing proper attire such as new running shoes can actually enhance your workouts.
10. Have a positive outlook. Do your best to stay on your fitness plan, but don’t be too hard on yourself if you slack off now and then. Keep at it! You never stay the same – you’re either going to get better or worse each day. Which is it going to be today?

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com