As we enter our 3rd year into the pandemic, and after experiencing multiple lockdowns, some of us might have developed some unhealthy habits along the way. But as we move towards the new year, it’s also one of the best time to reverse some of those habits and try to develop new ones.
Let this year be the year you take control of your health and fitness, and to help you jump start your journey, we’re sharing some of the bad habits you should break this 2022:
1. Spending too much time on social media
The pandemic has forced us to embrace technology more since it’s the fastest and most efficient way to connect to people, however, we have been spending too much time on social media already. This year, try to reduce your time spent on social media. With all the fake and bad news, it would be wise to turn off your phone or put it down for a while every day and focus on yourself.
While social media has helped us connect to our friends, we cannot control the negativity it might bring which can affect our mental health and motivation. For thirty minutes or an hour, write on your journal, do an exercise, play with your pet, or learn a new language instead of just scrolling.
2. Comparing yourself to others
You read that right. This is probably one of the hardest things to do, but it is high time you stop comparing yourself to other people and their progress. Focus on your own goals and remind yourself that not everyone has the same circumstances and are going through the same things. Your journey is yours and so is your progress. Comparing yourself to other people will just create negative image of yourself. By focusing on yourself, you will realize how much you have improved and that you are capable of becoming even better each day.
3. Being Afraid
I’m certain that many of us have things we want to do but are scared of doing. Want to run a marathon, lift heavier weights, or try a different sport? It’s time that you stop waiting for the “right time” for your dreams to happen, because there is no better time than now. You can’t always wait for a sign from the universe because only you can make your dreams happen. Go do what makes/will make you happy. Just don’t forget to do it safely these days.
4. Feeling Guilty
Our lives right now can get easily stressful and guilt is just one of those emotions that can consume the best of you. It’s natural to feel guilt when you have done something awful, but don’t feel guilty when you find yourself at a point where you’re eating a lot or can’t exercise. You should not feel guilty about everything you do or not do. One of the things this pandemic has taught us is that it’s okay to cut some slack once in a while. Remind yourself that everyday cannot be the best and by just trying, you are already doing enough. The important thing is you bounce back and keep going.
5. PROCRASTINATING
In fitness, consistency is key. At the start of each year, people are expected to be highly motivated; but at some point, their focus usually diminish. Some don’t notice it happening because they just skip one workout this week and then two more the next until a reason to stop comes around then it becomes a cycle of “starting over again”. Stop procrastinating because lack of consistency will defer you to progress. Drive away all distractions and keep going. There are days when you will not be inspired, but try to do it anyway. Like what Kremling said, “The only bad workout is the one you didn’t do.”
6. Saying “YES” to everything
This pandemic has taught us a lot of lessons and one of those is the value of setting boundaries. Being able to do so is a step to a healthier you. If you have been the kind of person who always says yes even if it puts you in a situation where you get exhausted, then maybe you need to step back and reconsider. It might be difficult for some to say “no”, but learning to stop saying “yes” to everything might ease yourself a little. This year, put yourself and your happiness first. It’s okay to say “no” sometimes. We’re all just humans at the end of the day and putting yourself first does not always equate to selfishness.
Some people say it takes 21 days to make or break a habit, but that number may not apply to everyone. You have your whole life to try to make a better version out of yourself. There are actually things you can do in order to help you in this process like changing your environment, finding a support group, and many others, but it will all still depend on you. This year, be more mindful and commit to a better you. Break those bad habits and replace them with good ones.
Stay consistent with your running journey with us. Join the Pinoy Fitness Virtual Challenges and start building good running habits with us. You can find more details here – https://pinoy.fit/earth2022
