Are you starting 2023 with the goal of improving your fitness and losing weight this year? After a few months of enjoying delicious holiday foods, many people are ready to switch things up and focus on their health again. If you’re joining the wellness wave this year, consider these fun fitness goals that will be fun and help you feel better at the same time:
Train for a race
Whether you’re logging miles on the treadmill or tracking your distance while running on the street, give yourself a goal for the workout. One of the most popular and fun fitness goals for the new year is training for a race.
If you haven’t competed in a race before, a 5K is a great place to start. No matter how fast you are, taking up running or jogging is an excellent way to improve your health and start feeling better. Consider using a ‘Couch to 5K’ app or program, which can help you start slow and work your way up to more intense training schedules.
Another option is to increase your mileage and complete a 10K, half marathon or full marathon this year. The more your fitness improves, the more motivated you will feel to run more miles and improve your personal best times.
Functional strength improvements
Some people think that DIY weight lifting is boring. It’s hard to hit the gym and pump iron if you don’t have a way to make the activity fun and interesting. Instead of suffering through the repetitions and getting stuck in the rut of the same workouts over and over again, consider joining a fitness class or group workout that focuses on functional strength.
Many people see excellent results with programs such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT). These classes give you a community of people to share your fun fitness goals together. Additionally, you’ll notice improvements in endurance, strength, function, weight loss, and more.
Holding a plank for core training
One way you can set your fun fitness goals is to set small milestones for specific types of exercise. It can be difficult to stay on track when you have a general goal like “lose weight” or “gain muscle.” Instead, your goals should be specific and measurable. When you set smaller goals, like holding a plank, it has a domino effect of improving overall strength, form and function.
Planks are an excellent way to strengthen your core. At the same time, they also activate the arms and legs, giving you a full-body workout. At first, you may only be able to hold a plank for 15 to 20 seconds. But with practice you can slowly increase the time until you are holding the planks for 2 minutes or more.
Holding a plank may seem like a simple exercise, but it can have a big impact on your overall health and well-being. Make one of your fun fitness goals to hold a plank every day. Don’t forget to set a timer and keep a notebook of your results so you can measure the results in the coming weeks and months!
Increase fruit consumption
Do you find it difficult to stick to a diet because you have a sweet tooth? If donuts and chocolate are always a temptation, try shifting your focus to a healthier alternative: fruit.
Many people find it difficult to eat more vegetables. But fruit is very tasty and can be added to any meal. Fruit tastes delicious and fills your belly with nutrient-rich calories. You can enjoy this low-calorie treat and not worry about adding extra pounds to the waistline.
Make sure you always have your favorite fruit in the fridge so you have an easy snack when you get hungry. You can eat the fruit in many different forms: raw, smoothie, frozen and more.
Stay hydrated
Many people notice a difference when they give up soda and drink water instead. Drinking enough water every day will help you stay hydrated during your workouts. Additionally, clean, filtered water helps your body flush out toxins that can build up.
The benefits of drinking water are undeniable. Pay attention to the small changes happening in your body. Common benefits include weight loss, more energy and clearer skin.
In fact, water consumption is often an essential key to weight loss. Sometimes the brain recognizes thirst signals as hunger, meaning people tend to overeat when they actually need hydration.
So, the next time you want a snack, try drinking a tall glass of water first. Wait 20 minutes and reevaluate to decide if you are still hungry or if the drink has helped meet your needs. Make sure you always have a water bottle on hand so you can drink throughout the day.
Pro tip: If you don’t like the taste of flavored water, try improving it with a little bit of lemon juice and stevia drops. This combination adds flavor without unnecessary calories.
Fun movements and activities
Exercise doesn’t always have to be with your running shoes or a session at the gym. Are there any other activities you enjoy that involve doing something fun and moving your body at the same time?
An example is walking instead of driving. If you are going somewhere within walking distance, leave the car at home and go outside to get some fresh air while walking.
Other examples of fun fitness goals are centered around hobbies that involve physical movement. Examples include yoga, basketball, football, tennis, dancing, swimming and more. Regardless of the type of exercise, you will always enjoy health benefits.
So choose one or two of your favorite physical activities and plan these fun hobbies into your training schedule.
Community to support your fun fitness goals
One way to stay on track with your fitness goals this year is to make sure you have a community. Surround yourself with like-minded people, and you’ll find it easier to maintain the consistency you need to achieve your goals.
Joining a gym is a great way to gain access to a community of people focused on health and fitness. If you’re ready to improve your results and need a gym you can call home, we invite you to join Fitness Nation. Please feel free to drop by to view our facility.