New year, new you. Right?
As you begin to close the curtain on 2017, it’s time to think about how you’d like to start the next 365 days.
If your New Year’s resolution is to get in shape, lose weight, eat healthier or be good to your body, you’re not alone. There’s no better time to start fresh and put the holiday sweets and feasts behind us.
Half the battle of any New Year’s resolution is getting started. To help ease the transition, it’s best to prepare yourself with the right equipment ahead of time. Setting yourself up for success will prevent feelings of discouragement and give you the confidence you need to keep going.
Before you start working toward your 2018 goals, check out these 10 health and fitness items to lean on for success.
1. The Sneakers.
Exercising in uncomfortable sneakers is bound to make you feel like giving up. It will make getting to the gym harder and it will put a bad taste in your mouth after every workout. Find shoes that are flexible yet supportive. Your feet need to move and your toes need to breathe.
Above: Nike Metcon DSX Flyknit 2 Sneaker – Nike
2. The Weights.
When you’re just starting out, reaching for weights and dumbbells at the gym can be intimidating. Don’t let it stop you from reaching your goals. Buy your own set of dumbbells to use at home for the first couple of weeks. It’s a great way to ease into a routine and boost your self-confidence.
Above: CAP Barbell Neoprene Dumbbell – Walmart
3. The Apparel.
When it comes to reaching your fitness goals, the saying, “dress for success” is 100 percent applicable. Wearing old, wrinkled, stained or lose clothing during your workout will not make you feel good about where you stand. Stock up on comfortable activewear you love. You’ll find it actually helps motivate you on a daily basis.
Above: Nike Leg-A-See Just Do It Dri-FIT Leggings – Macy’s
4. The Earphones.
If you listen to music while exercising, you’ll need a pair of earphones you can rely on every day. When your earphones keep falling out, have bad sound quality or are uncomfortable to wear, you end up frustrated and your workout gets harder. Investing in a pair of quality earphones means one less obstacle that could slow your movement.
Above: Beats by Dr. Dre BeatsX Earphones – Best Buy
5. The Protein.
Protein is essential to any fitness goal-chaser. Not only does it help build and maintain muscle mass, it makes you feel full and helps reduce cravings, too. Adding protein powder to your water, milk, yogurt, smoothie or healthy shake will help you stay on track and allow you to progress on a long-term basis.
Above: Impact Whey Protein – MyProtein
6. The Wristband.
A fitness wristband will be your number one source of motivation and information, tracking your activity, recording your progress and reminding you to keep moving throughout the day. Basically, it will be your fitness buddy and your fitness coach at the same time. It’s super valuable and worth the investment if you’re serious about your goals.
Above: Fitbit Alta
– Fitbit
7. The Gloves.
If you’re looking for serious improvement with noticeable results, the treadmill won’t be the right answer everyday of the week. A pair of training gloves will support you through a wide-range of activity, like cardio kickboxing and other intense workouts. Training gloves keep you cool, ensure breathability and protect your hands from injury.
Above: Everstrike Training Gloves – Everlast
8. The Blender.
You’ll find a quality blender in the kitchen of every fitness enthusiast. Nutrition-packed Smoothies and protein shakes will be an important part of your diet when exercising daily. They’ll keep your energy up and feed your muscles essential vitamins to keep you strong and fit for progression. A reliable blender that’s quick, effective and easy to use is the key to shake and smoothie success.
Above: Magic Bullet® NutriBullet® – Bed Bath & Beyond
9. The Yoga Mat.
You’ll need a yoga mat for any floor activity included in your routine, whether it’s push ups, planks, sit ups or any other core workout. Better yet, use your mat for yoga to improve flexibility and relaxation every now and then. Buying your own mat will allow you to do these activities from home, plus you won’t have to use the shared mats at the gym.
Above: C9 Champion Premium Fitness Yoga Mat – Target
10. The Planner.
They key to achieving your fitness goals and maintaining a consistent schedule is organization. A weekly planner is a great way to track your progress and fitness to-dos over a long period of time. This will help create a schedule that works for you and get you accustomed to an ongoing routine, ultimately making exercise a habit instead of a task.
Above: Flamingo Dot Monthly Planner – Kate Spade New York
Need help sticking to your goals?
Read our 10 fail-proof tips for achieving your New Year’s resolution!
The post 10 Fitness Essentials for the Goal-Chaser appeared first on Clique Tips.
