Why New Year's Fitness Resolutions fail (and how you can fix it)
It happened again didn’t it? January isn’t even over yet and we’ve already let those New Years Resolutions slip.
For around 60% of people, that resolution was to exercise more. Unfortunately, for lots of us, this resolution is easier said than done. Dusting off those trainers can lead to pain, or even re-agitation of those lingering injuries.
There’s nothing quite as disheartening as hitting your stride, making progress only to have it come crashing down because of something that’s seemingly out of your control. Which may be one of the big reasons as to why approximately 80% of resolutions fail.
Fitness isn’t just for January, it should be a lifestyle.
So we’re here to help you to get back on track! The right equipment and strategy can mitigate injuries & pain, so here’s our recommendations on how to finally break the bad habits and stick to your New Year resolution!
Take it easy - stroll into it
For a lot of us, the reason why fitness is your resolution is because you do NONE of it in your regular life. Then when January 1st comes along, we’re there in the gym absolutely smashing ourselves. Lifting the biggest weights, running like we were being chased, training like we were 18 again… no WONDER there are so many injuries. If you’re lucky enough not to get injured, you get burnout and lose all motivation to continue pretty quickly.
We recommend easing into it. Our biggest tip, don’t run, walk! If you want to make sustainable lifestyle changes, walking is one that will stick around. If it’s been a while since you’ve been at your physical peak, the benefits of walking can’t be overlooked. Plus, It’s amazing for your mental clarity and overall happiness!
Obviously lower injuries are a big factor. Running, especially when unversed, is a one-way ticket to osteoarthritis, knee & ankle injuries plus a myriad of other issues.
Walking is more enjoyable and easier to fit into your life. You don’t need your special walking clothes to go for a walk, whatever you’re wearing now, that’ll do. You can squeeze it around your lifestyle. Instead of sitting around during your work lunch break, go for a stroll! Take some workmates with you.
Set yourself goals, but give yourself time to reach them. Gradual changes turn into habits, because you stick with it.
The right walking shoes
When Nike coined “Just Do It”, they were thinking about elite athletes. Not those of us with Plantar Fasciitis, Tendonitis, dodgy hips, knees, ankles or whatever else may be plaguing your fitness journey.
Even though walking has a far lower impact than running, you still need the right equipment to get the most out of it. Fitness starts from the ground up, so let's start with shoes.
To alleviate pain, you’re going to want a pair of well built trainers, with proper arch support. While there are a few on the market that claim to offer what you need, there are some frontrunners leading the way with technology.
Our obvious winner is Vitasole. This brand is all about helping you get your NEXT 10,000 steps, no matter how you get them. They make their shoes not for elite athletes, but just those looking to do that liiiiiittle bit more exercise (just like you said you would with your resolution)
Their range contains outdoor walking sandals, beach thongs with arch support, recovery sandals and some pretty funky dressy sandals you’d be happy dancing the night away in.
But their pièce de résistance and the best place to start for restarting your resolution is the Walker (yes, it’s actually called that. So you know it’s good!)
These revolutionary sneakers are loaded with Vitasole’s VX Technology including Arch Support and Premium, thought out Cushioning. Where they really come into their own however is the Rocker Sole.
This game-changer works by creating a rocking chair type motion for your steps. This means that the shoes will actually use your momentum to push you forward for your next step. If you’re having trouble keeping to your resolution, these shoes literally do the work for you.
Insoles - The REST of your shoes
The BEST way to get walking is to have amazing walking shoes. But you’re not going to be able to wear them all the time. So the NEXT BEST way to ensure you’re hitting those goals is to optimize the rest of your shoes through the use of a top quality insole. After all, a lovely walk is only a pleasant afternoon away, and you’re going to want to be ready for that.
The Comfort Co. has a great range of insoles. But again, our winner is Vitasole. These insoles are top of the range having been developed through years of experience and under the watchful eyes of podiatrists and healthcare experts. What really sets them apart is the Support Booster. If you’re a person that likes a bit more Arch Support you can chuck this on your insole at any time to boost that support to the next level.
You might use this customisation, you might not. But having the option is a real winner.
Compression
You’ve upped your footwear game, let's take it to the next level. Compression technology is a relatively new phenomenon. In 1987, two American doctors Michael J Berry & Robert G McMurray conducted a study in the American Journal Of Physical Medicine that revealed that athletes wearing compression recovered faster than athletes not wearing compression.
From there, it’s spiralled into a new kind of beast. Who could forget the Cathy Freeman bodysuit, or the swimmers wearing sharksuits?
(What a wild Olympics that was)
We’re not suggesting you go for your walks wearing a full length compression suit. But if you have any specific injuries, or just want to aid recovery in general, compression could be for you.
OS1st has a huge range of compression products. From dealing with specific injuries on the foot like Plantar Fasciitis and Bunions. To compression sleeves to deal with any other injuries and socks to increase performance and aid recovery.
The best possible way to make your resolutions stick is by incremental lifestyle changes. In this world there’s no such thing as a quick fix. Ease your way into it and you’ll hit your goals in no time!