Don't give up on your new routine
Gyms up and down the country will have seen a huge increase in joiners during the month of January as millions take to the treadmill to shift the festive pounds, but as most committed gym-goers have noticed the queue for the cardio machines doesn’t last long – in fact it’s just six-weeks.
Nuffield Health has identified the February 8 as ‘Ditch the Gym Day’. This date sees the largest drop in usage at the chain’s 66 Fitness & Wellbeing centres, with usage levels returning to ‘normal’ soon after.
Chris Jones, Head of Physiology at Nuffield Health comments: “The reason for identifying this date is to flag this ‘danger zone’ and provide some advice and motivation to ensure people don’t give up on their goals. There are practical things you can do to get through February.
“Six weeks into your programme is a tough time, you may not have seen the results of your hard work, the cold snap arrives and the sofa beckons. Our fitness teams are on stand by to help members through this period with free PT sessions, programme reviews and health MOTs, but we’re keen to flag this to all those who are struggling with New Year Resolutions on the brink of failure.”
Chris Jones’ five point plan for surviving DTGD:
1. Know your starting point – take a health MOT so you know your current health and fitness status
2. Set realistic, measurable goals and reward yourself for achieving them
3. Get some support - making slow progress is de-motivating, ask a fitness professional for help
4. Buddy up – enlist the help of a friend and plan immovable workout dates, put them in your diary and stick to them.
5. Vary your workouts – boredom could be your downfall; try new classes, use the pool or join a running club.
Research shows that is takes an average of 66 days (9-10 weeks) to form a new habit - described as behaviours which are performed automatically because they have been performed frequently in the past. It also takes around 12 weeks to see the results of a new fitness regime which means that by March; gym-goers will be through the tough period, looking good, feeling healthier and making the exercise part of their life.
Tagged in Health exercise fitness tips