GoKawiilThis is about the time when many people begin quitting their New Year’s resolutions for getting fitter or building healthier habits. Warmer weather, social plans and packed schedules can make it harder to stay on track with workouts or your workout app. Before you know it, your plan for your healthiest year feels derailed. In some cases, it may seem easier to give up altogether. But what if you don’t have to?
In fact, it’s easier to give up on your goals if you think you need to be perfect all the time. In reality, consistency matters more -- even sticking to your plan 80% or 85% of the time is enough. Consistency, not perfection, is what helps you maintain a routine without added pressure.
This is the formula I follow to avoid giving up on my workout goals halfway through the year. As a fitness expert, wife and working mom to a toddler, I know how often life throws a wrench into my plans. Instead of giving up, I pivot and adjust -- because my well-being is just as important as my family’s. Here are some techniques I use to stay on track; they might help you, too.
1. Follow a workout program
A workout app can make it easier to follow a workout program. Getty Images/Kala Moments
Following a workout program is crucial for achieving your fitness goals and making your life easier. With a program, you don’t have to worry about figuring out what you need to do each time you set foot in the gym. Before becoming a mom, I could easily spend over an hour in the gym or go for a 90-minute run while training for a race. These days, my life looks different, so I aim for efficient, effective workouts that fit into 45 minutes to an hour, max.
If you’re new to working out, one of the best ways to follow a workout program is to have a personal trainer create one for you. But if hiring a trainer isn't in your budget, using a fitness app is another option. They're more cost-effective, and some workout apps, such as Peloton and Ladder, offer programs you can follow within the app based on your fitness level, as well as through monthly challenges or series. Other apps such as Caliber and Future connect you virtually to personal trainers who can customize your workouts to your specific needs and goals.
I previously tested Future and loved that you can virtually connect to a real-life trainer. If it’s within your budget (it costs $200 a month), it’s worth it because your trainer is always at your fingertips and they can modify your training schedule as needed. There are also AI-focused fitness apps such as Fitbod or FitnessAI that can create workout programs for you.
I’m currently following the Stronger by the Day app (also one of our picks for best workout apps for women), a science-backed program designed to help women get stronger and build muscle, since that's my current goal. One feature I’ve found helpful in this app is the ability to choose between full-day, express or bodyweight workouts, depending on how much time I have. I can also set how many days a week I want to work out, and it automatically tracks my personal records based on my heaviest lifts.
2. Try new classes and workouts
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