The No-Excuses Plan: 4 Easy Ways to Achieve Your Health & Fitness Goals in 2015
I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Planet Fitness. I received a membership to PlanetFitness to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. #IC #PlanetFitness
How many times have you told yourself that you’d get healthier in the New Year? Maybe you even made a set of New Years resolutions aiming to eat healthier, work out more, or lose weight. Now think about how many times you’ve actually followed through on those goals. I know that each year my good intentions come and go. I get worried about money and don’t sign up for a gym membership or get busy and let my eating habits slip. Well, 2015 is my year of no excuses, so I can’t let those mistakes happen again. I started my health and fitness New Year’s resolutions in late 2014, and I’ve created a four-step plan to keep me motivated to accomplish my goals throughout the year!
Step One: Create Specific & Realistic Goals
It’s important to create a list of specific health and fitness you’d like to accomplish in the New Year. Simply saying “I want to be healthier” isn’t going to work. Tailor your goals to fit your exact situation and remember to be specific AND realistic. Creating goals that can actually be accomplished and crossed off your list before the end of the year will encourage you to continue your health and fitness journey!
If you need an idea of where to start, here are a few of my health and fitness resolutions for 2015. I’m aiming to increase my energy, strength, and stamina while decreasing my overall stress level.
1. Workout for 1 hour or more at least 3x a week (at least 20 minute of cardio)
2. Sleep at least 8 hours a night
3. Drop a clothing size
4. Drink two glasses of water for every one glass of diet soda
5. Pick the healthy food option 90% of the time
6. Try a new fitness activity once a month
Step Two: Find The Perfect Fitness Environment
No matter how motivated you may at the beginning of the year, it’s hard to stick with your fitness regimen if you’re not in the right environment. I recommend sitting down and thinking about fitness equipment and amenities you’ll need from your fitness club before purchasing a long-term commitment. I decided to get a head start on my health goals in late 2014 by starting a membership at Planet Fitness. When I was looking for the perfect health club to join, Planet Fitness quickly rose to the top of my list. The friendly and non-intimidating environment aka the Judgment Free Zone, high-quality equipment, and incredible membership prices just couldn’t be beat. I love that their goal is to make everyone feel comfortable when they step into their health clubs. The friendly staff, non-competitive atmosphere, and top-notch facilities consistently impress me and keep me motivated to keep going on my health and fitness journey.
Planet Fitness Perks
These amenities are available with all membership plans.
- High-quality cardio and strength equipment
- Fully-equipped locker rooms with day lockers and showers
- Flat screen TVs
- Most clubs also have a 30-minute express circuit and 12 minute ab circuit
- Free pizza on the first Monday of every month
- Free bagels on the second Tuesday of every month
- Free t-shirt when you sign up
- Unlimited access to home gym & unlimited fitness training
Unlike other health clubs I’ve been a member of in the past, I always have a positive experience at Planet Fitness. The facilities are always clean, the staff is always polite and non-intrusive, and the equipment is never over-crowded. I can run in and complete my cardio and strength routine without having to worry about people coming up to me and giving me “fitness tips” or promoting their personal training business. All of the other members are normal people just like you and me who are trying to be a little bit healthier.
Planet Fitness Black Card Membership Perks
Black card members receive all of the features listed above, but this membership plan also features a few additional perks!
- Unlimited use of ALL Planet Fitness locations
- Unlimited guest pass privilege at all locations
- Free tanning
- Unlimited use of massage chairs
- 1/2 price cooler drinks
- Some locations also include free haircuts, hydromassage, and total body enhancement
Over the past few months, I’ve loved using my Black Card membership at Planet Fitness. I’m constantly traveling for work and to visit family and friends, and this plan allows me to work out no matter where I am. As I mentioned early, I don’t want to have any excuses this year! I also love bringing a friend to work out with me, so the guest pass privilege couldn’t be a better fit. These two options allow me to workout despite having a crazy schedule, and I won’t lie…the massage chairs definitely give me a little extra boost of motivation!
Step Three: Create A Budget-Friendly Plan
In the past, I’ve imagined grandiose health and fitness plans that seem great in the moment but end up being ridiculously overpriced. Once I start to realize that I’ve spent $200 on juice and workout classes in the first month, my health and fitness goals quickly disappear. This year, I’m being realistic and creating a plan that works with my budget. I started pinning affordable healthy meal ideas on Pinterest and researched the best local produce vendors to lower my food costs, and I found a health club membership that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. By creating a reasonable budget for my health expenses, I’m taking away another excuse that may have prevented me from accomplishing my goals.
Planet Fitness is launching a national 10-day membership sale at participating locations nationwide to celebrate the beginning of the New Year! Until January 9, 2015, you can join any Planet Fitness health club for only $1 down and $10 a month – with no commitment. That’s less than most people spend on fancy coffee each week! Seriously, this deal is pretty amazing, so I highly encourage you to check it out!
Step Four: Find A Support System & Celebrate Your Achievements
Whether your support system is comprised of family, friends, or people you meet at the gym, it’s important to find like-minded individuals to motivate you when you’re feeling discouraged and celebrate your achievements. I love the supportive atmosphere of Planet Fitness. They want to recognize their members’ accomplishments – whether they’re big or small – with Planet of Triumphs, their new online community. Members can join Planet of Triumphs with their Twitter and Facebook accounts, and through the community they have the opportunity to share their personal stories and get support and a virtual high-five from fellow members. You’ll be surprised at how far a little positivity and support can take you in your health and fitness journey!
If you follow these four easy steps, you won’t have any excuses to stray from your health and fitness goals in 2015. I’d love to get a health/fitness group together, so leave a comment below if you’d be interested in seeing weekly or monthly health/fitness posts. We could trade ideas/tips and motivate each other to improve!
What are your health/fitness resolutions for 2015?
You can get more information about Planet Fitness on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.