New Years resolutions and why it isn’t just about the 1st of January
Coach Soraya gives us an insight to what really makes up a New Year’s Resolution and why triathletes should shy away from the concept that the 1st January is the start date. It is all about what you do every day, not just one day.
It is about where you want to go, not just setting some resolutions!
The fitness industry is an interesting one, and for a group fitness instructor, January is a pretty exciting (and stressful) time. Each year, we see an influx of people trying to fulfil their fitness related New Years Resolutions - classes are packed and it’s so much fun to teach in an environment where everyone is buzzing and motivated to work hard. However, there is a lot wrong with that New Year’s resolution mentality, and unfortunately, as the first months of the year go by, the attendance trickles back down to normal “Business As Usual” numbers.
The problem with the New Years Resolution is that, kind of like a diet, it always seems to have a start and an end date. That’s why they never work - whilst you may loose the weight, it nearly always comes right back on as soon as you resume normal eating! It is much smarter to make a smaller but sustainable change to your diet, where you see slower but more permanent results. The same applies to fitness - it shouldn’t have an end date. Exercise, whether it is swim, bike, run or just an exercise class at the gym, is a lifestyle. It is not a quick fix to “I ate too much during the holidays so now I’m going to go to the gym 5 times a week, and I’m going to fuel it with salad’. #dontjointhetrend
As a coach, I have very mixed feelings about it all. Whilst I get frustrated with people who suddenly (after months of unhealthy life choices) come to class every single day for one month and then give up, I also find it exciting as I see it as an opportunity to help make a positive impact. If I can get through just to one person and help them understand that it isn’t about the 1st Jan, but about sustainable change, then I feel I have been successful. But this begs the question; if it’s all about sustainable change, then why does it have to start on January 1st? Why can’t it start as soon as you identify you want change? To me, the answer is motivation. One can argue that if you need a New Years Resolution as motivation to make change then you’re doomed for failure. Whilst I believe this to be true for goals, I think New Years Resolutions are a good tool to help with the process to get to your goal.
The good news is that as a triathlete, you are probably already motivated to achieve your goals. I feel like that is a pre-requisite for being a triathlete, and I have yet to meet one that struggles with motivation towards the sport. What I often see however (myself included), is struggles towards specific aspects of training or nutrition - usually around areas of weakness. These are things you are probably already aware of, as at the end of each season, you are should reflect on what went well, what didn’t, your strengths and your weaknesses (right?). By the time the year turns, your goals should already be set. For example, my goal next year is to improve my run in my main race next year (IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz). I know that in order to do that, I need to be more disciplined with my strength work and that this is key to me achieving my goal. This is something I struggle with because (let’s be honest) I find it boring and it takes time; I often prefer to spend that time going for an extra swim, bike or run. So a good New Years Resolution for me could be to prioritise and complete my physio strength exercises no matter what (even at the expense of a swim/bike/run training session). I know that this will make me a stronger and more robust runner, and that in turn will make me faster (and less injury prone - win win win!).
What do you struggle with and could you turn it into a New Years Resolution to help you achieve your goals?
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