Cupid's Pulse Article: Fitness Tips: Stick to Your New Year’s ResolutionsCupid's Pulse Article: Fitness Tips: Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions

By Rachel Sparks

All of us have our body quirks with our bodies — things we don’t like about ourselves. While it’s important to accept who you are as you are, we also recognize that investing in yourself helps self-esteem. If exercise is a priority, you’ll reap so many rewards beyond how your body looks. Cupid knows how hard it is to keep up a strong exercise routine, and we’re here to help. Here are our fitness tips to keep your routine rocking!

Read on for Cupid’s fitness tips to achieve those New Year’s resolutions!

1. There’s an app for that: There’s an app for anything, so look out for any of your specific needs! There’s apps for fitness that give you a sense of community right on your phone. You can track calories, workouts, miles walked, etc. with other apps. Some apps help you meal plan, interpret labels, and compile shopping lists. There’s an app for any need you have to keep you motivated and on track for your resolutions.

Related Link: Fitness Tips: The 5 Best Apps to Help You Stay on Track

2. Classes: Let’s be honest; working out a gym sucks for most people. As much as we want to workout, if we’re pulling on a machine all day it’s hard to stay motivated. Fitness classes have become so much more fun. To stay on top of your resolutions, find a class that interests you! There’s aerial fitness, dance classes, yoga, crossfit, bootcamps…you name it, it’s out there.

3. Friends = accountability: Who is holding you to your goal? Is anyone motivating you, asking about your progress, celebrating your wins? Self-discipline only goes so far. On the days when you’re feeling unmotivated, having a partner who is responsible for kicking your butt in gear is necessary. Prevent any breakdowns by assigning a friend to be your accountability partner. If you can rope your love into a workout, not only is it more accountability, but there’s tons of couples workouts to rock to like Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth for an energizing date night.

Related link: Fitness: 5 Amazing Workout Tips from the Best Celebrity Trainers

4. S.M.A.R.T. goals: Have you heard of these from school or work? As annoying as these goals seemed at the time, it’s a practical approach to personal goals as well. S.M.A.R.T. means “specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely” goals. Is what you’re asking of yourself something you can track your progress and achieve in a reasonable amount of time? If not, break down a bigger goal into smaller steps so you can feel great about progress and keep building to that bigger dream.

5. Recognize aches and pains: How does this help you achieve your goals? When you overdo it, your body will react negatively. You may seriously injure yourself. Learn how to be aware of your body and recognize when it needs a break. It’s better to rest for a day than to lose your goal completely from an injury. Remember, your goal is to better yourself; it’s a lifelong process. You don’t have to push yourself to achieve an Olympian’s body in a few months. Commit for a lifetime. Commit to yourself.

How have you bested your demons and achieved your New Year’s resolutions? Share your advice below!