Whether you are a New Year’s goal/resolution setter or not, I’m here to tell you that April is the time to pick up (and dust off) the health goals that you may have had in mind this past January.
I’ve long since come to the conclusion that January is the absolute best time to set health goals if you’re looking to get discouraged and throw them out the window. So, I usually keep things simple during the winter and up the anty on my health goals in April. Here’s why…
#1. Winter is a time when our bodies naturally want to rest and conserve.
Why fight mother nature? I’m not saying that winter is time to give up completely, it’s just a good time to give yourself some grace and begin to learn the ebbs and flows of how the seasons affect your body without beating yourself up.
Springtime on the other hand is exciting and energizing! Use the naturally empowering sunshine and budding trees and flowers to inspire you to get outside more and think about what you want for your health.
#2. There are too many people at the gym in January.
There is nothing worse than walking into a gym to see crowds of people and lines for equipment. That’s what January offers. Well-meaning people decide in January that this is the year it all changes. But by April most people have already given up on their resolutions and the gyms clear out.
Take advantage of the freed-up equipment and track space starting in April.
#3. Spring feels like a more natural new start and there’s the benefit of warmer weather
January comes with a lovely clean slate feeling because it’s when our culture acknowledges the changing year. But it’s kinda the dark before the dawn. The vast majority of winter is from January to March and it’s hard to keep that fresh slate feeling beyond week two of the New Year.
Springtime, especially in early April, feels (and looks) more naturally new. The trees start turning that beautiful shade of spring green and the air smells clean. It’s hard not to feel the excitement of the coming warmth and our bodies take note.
Just as winter is the natural time for your body to slow down and conserve energy, spring is the natural time for your body to start revving back up. Embrace that natural hitch in your giddy-up and (as well as the increasing fresh fruits and veggies that start showing up this time of year) and get cracking on those exercise and nutrition goals.
Now is the time! Spring and summer will naturally help you keep your goals, so don’t miss the opportunity April brings!
What health and fitness goals do you want to tackle this spring and summer?
If you’re looking for some help to get going on your health goals, check out Flourish First Life Coaching. You can either work one-on-one with a life coach or join a group. We discuss the biology of weight loss, get you off diets forever, and teach you about how exercise affects weight loss and weight management. On top of that, our Life Coaching program takes a holistic approach, seeing you as a multi-faceted person with more to focus on than just health. Check out our website and see if it’s a good fit!