New Year’s resolutions are pretty hard to keep. Research by the University of Scranton suggests that just 8% of people actually stick to their New Year’s goals.
So when you’ve made the promise to work out more often and live a healthy lifestyle, how do you stick to it?
The key is to create a support system that will push you to complete your goal. And who better to support you than your partner?
‘When a couple works out together, the actual exercise can physically and emotionally have a positive impact,’ Dr. Jane Greer, a marriage and relationship psychotherapist told You Beauty. ‘Both partners come away with feelings of synchronicity, cooperative spirit, and shared the passion. Then you throw in some spicy endorphins and it can be a real power trip for the relationship.’
Gym night is the new date night
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Scheduling time for exercise needn’t be a chore – just think of your trips to the gym or to the swimming pool as dates.
Just as you would set up movie nights or cocktails with your partner, choose a night of the week where you’ll both do some cardio or weight lifting.
If you have the time, you could even combine gym night with one of your previous standing date nights. After a hard workout, why not reward yourself with a trip to the cinema?
Keeping track
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Keep a visual record of you and your partner’s progress. Doing so will keep you inspired and will also create a level of playful competition. You could keep a chart in a prominent place such as on the fridge or you download an app that lets you share your achievements with one another.
Alternatives to the gym
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The gym isn’t for everyone. Many people feel uncomfortable working out in front of others, others find the sterile environment uninspiring, and others just think it’s far too expensive.
There are other ways to keep active without paying a membership fee.
Why not make time to explore your local cycle routes, or go for regular walks after dinner? You could even try to have sex more frequently. According to research, on average, men burn 101 calories and women burn 69 calories while making love.
Falling off the wagon
As we said in the beginning, many of us find it difficult to stick to our New Year’s resolutions. As January comes to an end and February begins, new priorities take over and before we know it, it’s the 31st of December and we’re making the same promises all over again! One of the best New Year decisions you can make is going to the gym and become part of the CrossFit community. For more information, you can visit https://thekatynews.com/2020/12/24/what-makes-crossfit-the-ultimate-training-for-gym-junkies/
‘Be ready to forgive yourself when you falter and try again,’ suggests Timothy A Pychyl, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ottowa.
Read our article on health and wellbeing in relationships for more tips on how to improve the way you and your partner feel on the outside and inside.
