Are you starting 2023 with the goal to improve your fitness and lose weight this year? After a few months of indulging in delicious holiday foods, many people are ready to turn things around and start focusing on their health again. If you are jumping on the wellness bandwagon this year, then consider these fun fitness goals that will be enjoyable and help you feel better at the same time:
Train for a Race
Whether you are putting in miles on the treadmill or tracking your distance while running on the street, give yourself a purpose for the training. One of the most popular and fun fitness goals for the new year is to train for a race.
If you haven’t run in a race before, then a 5k is a great place to start. No matter how fast you are, taking up running or jogging is an excellent way to improve your health and start feeling better. Consider using a “Couch to 5K” app or program, which will help you start slowly and work your way into more intensive training schedules.
Another option is to increase your mileage and aim to complete a 10K, half-marathon, or full marathon this year. The more your fitness improves, the more motivation you will feel to increase the miles you are running and improve your personal best times.
Functional Strength Improvements
Some people find that DIY weightlifting is boring. It’s hard to go to the gym and pump iron if you don’t have a way to make the activity fun and interesting. Instead of suffering through the reps and getting stuck in the rut of the same workouts over and over again, consider joining a fitness class or group workout that focuses on functional strength.
Many people see excellent results from programs such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT). These classes give you a community of people to share your fun fitness goals together. Plus, you’ll notice improvements in endurance, strength, function, weight loss, and more.
Holding a Plank for Core Training
One way you might set your fun fitness goals is by setting small milestones for specific types of exercise. It can be hard to stay on track if you have a general goal, such as “lose weight” or “gain muscle.” Instead, your goals need to be specific and measurable. When you set smaller goals, such as holding a plank, then it has a domino effect to improve overall strength, shape, and function.
Planks are an excellent way to strengthen your core. At the same time, they also engage the arms and legs, giving you a full-body workout. In the beginning, you might only be able to hold a plank for 15 or 20 seconds. But, with practice, you can slowly increase your time until you are holding your planks for 2 minutes or more.
Holding a plank might seem like a simple exercise, but it can have a great impact on your overall health and wellness. Set one of your fun fitness goals to hold a plank every day. Don’t forget to set a timer and keep a notebook of your results so you can measure the results in the coming weeks and months!
Increase Fruit Consumption
Do you find it hard to stick to a diet because you have a sweet tooth? If doughnuts and chocolate are always a temptation, then try switching your focus to a healthier alternative: fruit.
Many people have a hard time eating more vegetables. But fruit is very enjoyable and can be included with every meal. Fruit tastes delicious and will fill your belly with nutrient-dense calories. You can enjoy this low-calorie treat and not worry about adding extra pounds to the waistline.
Make sure to always have your favorite fruit in the fridge so you have an easy snack when the cravings hit. You can eat the fruit in many different forms: raw, smoothie, frozen, and more.
Stay Hydrated
Many people notice a difference when they cut out soda and start drinking water instead. Drinking plenty of water each day helps you stay hydrated for your workouts. Plus, clean, filtered water helps your body flush out toxins that might be accumulating.
The benefits of drinking water are undeniable. Pay attention to the small changes that happen within your body. Common benefits include weight loss, more energy, and clearer skin.
In fact, water consumption is often an essential key to losing weight. Sometimes, the brain recognizes thirst cues as hunger, which means that people tend to overeat when they are actually needing hydration.
So, next time you want a snack, try drinking a tall glass of water first. Wait for 20 minutes, and the re-evaluate to decide if you are still hungry or if the drink helped to satisfy your needs. Always have a water bottle on hand so you can drink throughout the day.
Pro tip: if you don’t prefer the taste of flavored water, try improving it with a little bit of lemon juice and stevia drops. This combination adds flavor without unnecessary calories.
Enjoyable Movements and Activities
Exercise doesn’t always need to involve your running shoes or a session at the gym. Are there any other activities that you enjoy where you are doing something fun and moving your body at the same time?
One example is walking instead of driving. If you are going somewhere that is within walking distance, then leave the car behind and go outside to enjoy some fresh air while you are walking.
Other examples of fun fitness goals are centered around hobbies that involve physical movement. Examples include yoga, basketball, football, tennis, dancing, swimming, and more. No matter the type of movement, you are always gaining health benefits.
So, pick one or two of your favorite physical activities, and plan these fun hobbies into your workout schedule.
Community to Support Your Fun Fitness Goals
One way to stay on track with your fitness goals this year is to make sure that you have a community. Surround yourself with like-minded people, and you will find it easier to maintain the consistency that you need to meet your goals.
Joining a gym is a great way to tap into a community of people who are focusing on health and fitness. If you are ready to ramp up your results and need a gym to call home, then we invite you to join Fitness Nation. Stop by any time to tour our facility.
