Many people across the country are welcoming in the New Year by lacing up, togging out and hitting the roads or the gym in an effort to shake off the extra pounds piled on over the Christmas period. There’s no doubt, that January is the busiest time of year for exercise but there are certain considerations to be made, before you set out with your New Year’s resolutions of being healthier and much more active.

It’s not something that many of us consider, but getting medical clearance prior to beginning a new regime, especially for those who are starting out after a long lay-off, is hugely important. A brief visit to your GP will let you know that you’re starting out with clean bill of health, and help you along in achieving your training heart rate.

As the old saying goes: you must learn how to walk, before you can run. By rushing into a new training programme with all the best intentions but unrealistic goals, you are setting yourself up for a fall. It takes time to attain small increments in fitness, depending on your fitness levels and heart rate. Be modest if starting out with a new regime and establish weekly goals to work towards.

Whether you’re a professional athlete or a novice, casual exerciser, understanding what exercises to partake in will surely help you achieve your goals. Discuss your goals with a Fitness Instructor and if you need to, get your FI to fitness test you. This will give you a base level to work from and subsequently map out your progression.

If you are starting a new regime and your lifestyle was too busy before, you are going to have to change and adapt your lifestyle to suit your regime. In general terms, we don’t always adopt to change seamlessly, so the smaller the change, the easier it will be to incorporate into your daily life. Start small but aim big, and gradually you will achieve your goals by maintaining consistency.

Diet and nutrition go hand in glove with exercise. By combining a healthy diet with a regular workout programme, you’ll soon lead the healthier lifestyle that you eagerly chase. Consult with a dietician if you’re unsure of what a healthy diet looks like or if you know what to eat but struggle to stick with it, remember, you must be patient and disciplined. Expect change every 4-6 weeks, and also expect some regression along the way. If you miss a session, don’t try to double up. Just continue on with your programme.

Finally, always remind yourself – Fitness is a journey, not a destination.

For more advice, feel free to contact me.