Stuck In A Weight Loss Rut? Try Something New In 2016!

Weight loss, especially, if you have quite a bit of to lose can be a long, drawn-out journey.

And, like any big goal, or long journey, it can be hard to stay motivated.  The same workouts day in, and day out, the same “diet food” and even the same comments from family and friends have a way of dragging you down while losing weight.

I'm not big on New Year's resolutions, because I think they can never live up to the hype, and that they die about Mid-March, but one New Year's resolution that everyone can {and should} make is to try something new.

Sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone, whether you've been really wanting to try it, or you're scared too, or that your friend raves about.  Just try it, especially at the gym!

Some New Things To Try:

Take A New Workout Class

Intimidated by a particular glass at the gym?  Have a friend who raves about her regular class that you've never attended?  Try that new class, scared or not, and do your best!

Try The Machine At The Gym You've Never Given More than A Glance To

You know the machine I'm talking about.  The one in the corner, collecting dust.  The one you never see a single person on.  Give that machine a try, even if you have to look up videos of it on YouTube first.  You'll be surprised at what it does for your muscles!

Buy A New Workout Top/Bottom/Footwear/Water Bottle, etc

There is something about new accessories or workout gear that really puts a pep in the step.  Go ahead and buy those yoga pants or that cool new water bottle and take it to the gym.  Let is invigorate you and spur you to try something new!

Get a New Cut or Color

A new cut or color s always good for a pick-me-up that can translate into your workouts and weight loss.  Go for the color you've been dying to try, cut it short or grow it long.  You won't regret it.

Workout With A New Friend

We all have our workout buddies.  Our friends make our workouts go faster and easier, and they push us to go faster, longer, and harder.  But when you change up the friends you work out with, you get just far enough outside of your comfort zone to amp up your workout.

Get A Fancier Scale

I know, we all dread the scale, but sometimes, getting a nicer, newer one is just the push you need to get on it a little more frequently.  No, not everything is about weight, but getting the FitBit Scale, or one that will store you weights, rather than your plain jane one can up your motivation to use it.

Do A Diet Bet

Personally, Diet Bet is how I'm switching up my routine in the new year, starting with Chris & Heidi Powell's (Extreme Trasnformation) Diet Bet starting January 4th.  I've never done a Diet Bet before, because I don't really like putting deadlines on weight loss, but I've been following both Chris & Heidi on Instagram, and they convinced me to give it a try.  If you're new to Diet Bet like me, here's how it works: You sign up and pay $30 to join your choice of challenge groups.  Then, you'll be prompted to submit your starting weight (there are processes to keep people form cheating).  Over the course of 4 weeks, your goal is to lose 4% of your body weight.  As long as you lose the 4%, you'll get at least your $30 investment back, because the total “pot” (the total amount of contributions) is split amount the winners (those who lost 4% or more).

New Year's resolutions are sometimes far less productive.  You start the year off with big resolutions, and plans to make them happen, but then about March (or before) those resolutions fizzle out.  Your failure leaves you feeling downtrodden and unproductive – not a good feeling 3 months into the year.

That's why I'll be committing to trying something new for my weight loss rut every single month in 2016.  I'm giving new workouts, workout buddies, clothes, scales, haircuts, and more – one each month – to keep my routine fresh, and my workouts tough, and my friendships fun!

What new activity are you going to try in 2016?

xoxo, Gretchen