Avoid the January pain - keep your fitness up for Christmas

Many of us wish we could become more active, whether it’s to lose weight and change our physical appearance or simply to improve our overall health.

Exercise can reduce the risk of serious illnesses, such as heart disease, strokes and diabetes by 50%, according to research by the NHS. It also has the power to boost self-esteem, sleep quality and reduces the risks of getting depression.

Given these overwhelming statistics, it seems obvious that we should be more physically active, yet at this time of year, many of us put off beginning a new exercise regime.

DON’T SACRIFICE YOUR HEALTH FOR CHRISTMAS

While staying in in front of the TV may seem more appealing than donning your trainers right now, consider your long-term goals. Do you really want to feel unsatisfied and lethargic for another two months?

If you become stuck in the mind-set that these are your last two months of freedom before the January detox, then you might be more likely to overindulge, making it a lot more difficult for yourself when you do start working out again in January.

You don’t have to be an angel this Christmas, of course you can enjoy all the festive food and drink on offer, but be mindful of your fitness goals and consume in moderation. By sticking to your dietary plans, you will get a good head start in 2015.

LITTLE AND OFTEN

Beginning your fitness journey may seem daunting, but what many people don’t realise is that you don’t have to spend hours in the gym to see visible results.

Research has proven that participating in moderate-intensity exercise for just 3 hours throughout the entire week can help you to stay healthy. Of course, you should aim to do much more than this in an ideal world.

If you have a specific weight loss goal in mind, and feel like you should be working out harder than the recommended advice, then consider doing shorter bursts of exercise more frequently, as opposed to fewer longer sessions. For example, try completing 20 minutes of high intensity cardio such as jogging or cycling 4 times a week instead of doing 3 hour-long bouts of cardio.

Breaking your training down into smaller sections will seem more manageable, as once you’ve put your gym gear on, it’s much easier to convince yourself to run for 20 minutes than it is for an hour.

WHEN JANUARY COMES, YOU WILL WISH YOU HAD STARTED TODAY

Although the year is drawing to a close, it is not too late to change. Starting good habits now will help you build up a head of steam going into the new year, and you’ll be thankful that you didn’t leave it until January.

Fitness First Clubs are making the transition even easier for you, as we are offering you the rest of 2014 free when you sign up for a year’s membership.

So why wait until January 1st to make progress? End this year on a high note by taking action and beginning your new fitness drive.