Don’t quit now: how to stay on track during “Quitter’s Week”
This week is what is sometimes referred to as “Quitter’s Week”. It is when you will be most likely to give up on your New Year fitness resolutions.
“Quitter’s Week” is a variation on “Quitter’s Day” or “Blue Monday.” According to legend, the third Monday of the month (which falls on January 15th, this year) is the most miserable day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Weather, debt levels, time since Christmas, low motivation, and other factors all play a role.
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Strava analysed user data a few years back and discovered that the date coincides with when we are most likely to abandon our New Year’s health resolutions. They examined over 800 million global activities, totaling approximately 8 billion miles. The date they chose falls almost exactly on Blue Monday.
It is important to remember that “Quitter’s Week” isn’t a hard and fast rule, and that everyone is unique. Some people may begin to lose motivation before or after the third Monday in January. Previous research has shown, 80% of us will not make it past mid-February before reverting to our unhealthy habits. Only 10% will succeed in the end.
Furthermore, keep in mind that “Quitter’s Week” puts more than just physical fitness goals at risk. Many people make financial, relationship, and career development resolutions, which may also fall by the wayside during this time.
So it is clear. Most of us will fail to keep our 2023 resolutions. But there are things you can do to boost your chances. Ways to avoid the “Ah, screw it!” mentality that leads to cancelled or unused gym memberships.
How to stick to your fitness and health goals
To begin, if you’ve resolved to walk more and lose weight this year, an activity tracker can be a great motivator. There are more options than ever before, and the prices are dropping rapidly. It’s difficult to know if you’re making progress without some sort of measurable feedback.
Wearables have consistently come out on top in the rankings of health and fitness trends in the last few years. One such study, from the ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal surveyed more than 4,500 health and fitness professionals to arrive at that conclusion. Other items towards the top of this list include strength training with free weights, body weight training and fitness programs for older adults.
Group exercise classes are also popular. Some people may prefer to work out with a friend or a group rather than going out alone. When athletes exercise in groups, they tend to go further and have longer workouts. Or you could choose an online course, such as Apple’s fitness service. Simply staying in touch via platforms like Strava helps with motivation.
Despite the challenges and busy lifestyles, many of us manage to stay active. The more varied your exercise routine, the better. Find ways to make your workouts more enjoyable.
Most important of all, set goals that are realistic. Rather than blindly chasing targets, it is important to listen to your body, your doctor, and common sense. Your circumstances may change throughout the year, so it’s far better to adjust your fitness goals than to give up! Remember, it’s never too late to start over, and every day is a new chance to get closer to your goals.
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