It’s the start of the New Year and that means your gym is probably filled with unfamiliar faces. While you may not know their names, you know the type. They’re the one’s who flock to your iron mecca every January to undo the damage they did the previous 11 months.
And while their intentions are good, their actions usually sputter and come to a grinding halt by the end of the month. Quitting on an exercise regimen is just one commonly broken fitness related resolution.
Here are the most common promises people just can’t seem to keep when it comes to their health and wellness.
When it comes to New Year resolutions, shedding the extra poundage piled on during the gorging season ranks at the top of the list. Unfortunately, the willingness to cut back on the calories doesn’t last very long. In most cases, it only takes a few weeks for most to get back to bad eating habits.
Seems easy enough on paper, but managing stress levels is actually one of the hardest things to accomplish on a consistent basis. So much so that less than 10 percent are able to stress less with any success, which is why it’s likely to be the first New Year’s resolution that’s broken.
If it’s not binging on Breaking Bad or Game of Thrones, it’s getting sucked into the vortex of mind-sapping, social networks. Imagine the time that would be freed up if people put a halt to their online or TV time. Many see the potential for huge gains to their overall health and well-being. The only problem is the draw is too strong for most, which makes this resolution another to quickly go down in flames.
If you ended the year with a bang, why not carry that into 2016? Vowing to improve upon sexual performance is a noble resolution that will not only benefit you, but your partner as well. A vibrant and satisfying sex life will do a body and mind good. However, that newfound fire between the sheets often flames out as time passes.
This is a no brainer for anyone still submitting to this highly unhealthy habit. And while everyone knows the many negative consequences when it comes to smoking, such as bad breath and dying, it’s still one of the toughest resolutions to make stick. Sadly, only about 10 percent of people who make the decision to quit will hang in there for at least 6 months.
If you’re like most, you did your share of getting into the spirit with a few drinks this past holiday season. But as the holiday and party decorations are put away at the start of the New Year, many see this as the perfect time to call it quits when it comes to booze. However, as the majority quickly discover, alcohol addiction is tough to shake, which makes it a New Year’s resolution that’s commonly broken.
If you’re a knowledgeable weightlifter you know that sleep is an essential part of recovery necessary for new muscle growth, optimal physical performance, and mental sharpness. Getting at least 7 hours a night is what most experts recommend, which makes it a resolution worth sleeping on. Unfortunately, many rise and shine before it’s time.
Unless you live in the most rural of areas, chances are there are opportunities to walk or bike to places you need to go. Both physical activities offer a great way to burn fuel and fire up your engine without ever getting into a car. This resolution is not only good for one’s health and wallet, but it’s also good for the environment. It’s a win-win-win, and yet most often end up losing by calling it quits and seeking the comfort and convenience of their car.
After downing one party platter after another over the past two months, many make this the time to finally start introducing those two abandoned food groups – fruits and vegetables – into their daily diet. Sure, this may be sacrificing some taste, but in the long run it’s among the very best ways to improve your health, performance and longevity. Yet knowing this, the masses will likely kick this resolution to the curb by mid-February.
And last but not least, we come back to our favorite commonly broken New Year’s resolution, the workout. With a bevy of physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages, sizes and abilities, we can’t blame anyone for going all in on this resolution at the beginning of the year. We can however, question their resolve when they call it quits and cancel their gym membership after the first month.
