Our new year’s resolutions often include improving our health and fitness goals, but at the same time it becomes challenging to maintain these resolutions. I’m here to tell you, that you’re not alone and it’s never too late to start achieving your health goals.

It’s important to remember that exercising regularly and eating healthy are important in achieving your ultimate fitness goal. Every healthy meal you eat, and every workout you finish brings you one small step closer to your goal. Here are some tips to help you stick to your goal.

Choose things you enjoy

We’re very good at avoiding the things we don’t want to do. This is true for healthy eating and exercise. If we don’t enjoy the meals in our new diet or dislike our workout plan, we often make excuses not to do it. You can avoid this problem by choosing things you enjoy. Create a diet that works for you without feeling like you’re depriving yourself. As the saying goes, everything in moderation.

The same for exercise, if you don’t enjoy certain types of training (high intensity, weight training) a simple 20 minute walk, a dance routine or jog every day, could be a much better choice for you.

Make small changes

It’s not easy adjusting to a new lifestyle change, so it’s okay to take it slow. While an all-or-nothing approach to healthy eating and exercise is ideal, it’s usually not easy to maintain. You can start by simply cutting out processed (junk) food from your diet.

Apply the same rule for exercise. If you push yourself or do too much too soon, you’ll just end up sore, tired, and missing workouts.

There’ll always be slip-ups

Unplanned dietary slip-ups and missed workouts happen to everyone. The trick is not to let small slip-ups turn into a habit. One unhealthy meal doesn’t have to trigger a week-long junk food binge. A missed workout or two, doesn’t mean you should give up exercising entirely. If you do slip-up, do your best to get back to your routine as soon as possible.

Don’t wait until next year January; it’s never too late to achieve your health goals and there’s no better day to start than today. Remember to start slow and that slip-ups are okay. Remain positive and believe in yourself, Choma.

If you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send a Facebook message or a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).