3. Track Your Progress
Another common reason for giving up on fitness resolutions comes from the lack of seeing results. Noticing results, however, depends on the means of measurement. The number on a scale rarely reflects all the benefits of consistent exercise, but blood pressure and cholesterol levels can demonstrate the unseen results of health improvement when consistently tested.
“To take ownership of the various aspects of your health, you need to know your numbers and get an annual physical,” Martin said. “Sometimes when you’re not seeing any results, an underlying medical condition could be the cause. If that’s the case, you need to talk to a physician about your situation.”
Wearable technology is another way to keep a record of health data. “There are a lot of products out there to help monitor your health,” Martin said. “Fitness apps and sport watches, for example, can help you record the calories you consume and burn while also keeping tabs on your heart rate.”
One of the best ways a person can check the results of their new fitness routine, according to Martin, is by paying attention to how their clothes are fitting. “The goal overall is to improve your body composition,” Martin said. “We want to lose fat and build muscle, which isn’t necessarily demonstrated by the number on a scale but is definitely noticeable when your jeans are a little looser.”
With practical goals and determination, forgetting fitness resolutions can become a thing of the past. “You have to plan and make an effort,” Martin said, “but turning your fitness resolution into a sustainable lifestyle change is possible. You just have to make the decision to become more active and go for it.”
To support the Sydney & J.L. Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine & Human Performance in the College of Education & Human Development, contact Jody Ford ’99 at jford@txamfoundation.com or (979) 845-8655.