Whether you’ve decided that 2022 is the year you hit your health and fitness goals once and for all or if you want to continue your progress from last year, here are some tips to help you stick to your intentions and keep your mind positively engaged while working out and eating healthy.

Move to something you love

The great thing about exercise is the variety. If running around the block or lifting weights at a gym aren’t your thing, try dance classes, Zumba, or yoga. The trick is to find something you love to keep you mentally motivated while you move that body.  

You can also give your exercise of choice an extra kick by adding some uplifting background music to it. This will help you match your movements to the beats and keep you pushing forward. Create a workout playlist of all your favourites in a music app. Some apps can even recommend songs based on your playlist history to ensure you never get bored during a sweat session.  

Give group activities a go

There’s an African proverb that says, “if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” Exercising in a group is the perfect way to get active if you tend to throw in the towel early on. Not only will a group setting motivate you to keep going and keep up with your peers, but it can be a lot more fun.

You can start small by asking a friend to join you for a weekly walk or jog in your neighbourhood. For the more adventurous, you can sign up for group exercise classes at your gym, join a hiking group, try parkruns, or even volunteer for a sports team at your local community sports centre. Who knows, you may even make lifelong friends as you bond over similar interests and goals.

Say yes to dinner parties

Attending a dinner party can be quite terrifying, especially if you anticipate all the deliciousness tempting you from every angle. But instead of isolating yourself to maintain your goals, compromise. Your friends will most likely understand your requests and try to accommodate you. In fact, it may be just the thing they need to kickstart their own desire to make healthy changes.

However, if you’re lucky enough to have a group of friends who share your passion for nutrition, set up a dinner club. Each person can host a dinner party and cook a delicious healthy meal for the rest of the group. It’s a great way to discover new recipes and share experiences and tips for better health and wellness.

This year is the perfect opportunity to kickstart or continue your healthy lifestyle. Even if you mess up here and there, remember the key is not to beat yourself up about it and get back on the horse. 2022 is a time for transformative change, so make the most of it.