Martial Arts: How To Keep Your New Year’s Resolution
Everyone sets goals for the new year, but how many people actually stick to them? If you’re like most people, you’ll manage to keep up a diet or exercise routine for about a month before life takes over and you’re back to square one.
Why does this happen? And what can you do to stick to your goals?
Why Is It Difficult To Keep Your New Year’s Resolution?
The New Year is a symbolic fresh start. It’s a time for rebirth and new chances. Unfortunately, we often get so enraptured by the symbol that we forget the truth behind it.
Just because the number on the calendar is different, doesn’t mean the pressures of real life will go away.
Unrealistic Expectations
We’re living in the information age which comes with many benefits, but one major problem is that people spend too much time comparing themselves to others on social media. While this isn’t inherently bad, social media often shows the glamorous parts of the picture, while ignoring all the hard work and time that goes into accomplishing something.
The result? People think they should quickly be able to accomplish anything.
But that’s not how things work. We can’t just flip a switch and go from zero to a hundred. Accomplishing anything takes time and dedication. More importantly, you need to improve gradually.
Instead of committing to going to the gym five times a week despite never going, try going only once or twice. First build the habit, then worry about increasing the quality and frequency.
Reliance On Motivation
We’re all so excited when fantasizing about the new year and all the possibilities. We’re motivated to pursue our goals and see them to completion.
The problem? Motivation doesn’t last. Your motivation is like the tide. It comes and goes, ebbs and flows. You can’t rely on it to carry you through to your goal.
Accomplishing any long-term goal comes down to one thing, and that’s discipline. Sometimes life gets in the way, you get bored, or you’re just tired, but discipline can carry you through. It’s the habits you build that will help you accomplish your goals.
How Can Karate Help You Achieve Your Fitness Goals?
Many people know fitness is important, as physical exercise comes with a whole host of benefits:
Increases Amount Of Movement: Most people live sedentary lives, as they sit in the office, car, and at home. Exercising is a good way of changing that.
Improves Mood: Exercising has been shown to improve people’s mood, give them more energy, and reduce the symptoms of depression.
Enhances Your Mind: Your brain is a part of your body, so exercising can actually stimulate your mind as well. This leads to better decision-making and learning.
Reduces Chances Of Illness: Exercising can greatly improve your cardiovascular health and prevent other health problems.
But going to the gym, running, and other self-directed exercises can be difficult to stick to. That’s why you should try karate and other martial arts, as they provide plenty of advantages that make it easy to build a habit and accomplish your goals.
Low Commitment
People have a lot of misconceptions about martial arts, and they worry they need to commit several hours a week and train non-stop. The truth is that you can get started with as little as one hour a week.
The low commitment lets you attend classes even when your life gets busy. This way you can build a habit and only take more classes when you feel comfortable.
Community And Friendship
Many of us experience loneliness in life, as there just aren’t enough hours in the day to spend time with friends and family when there’s so much to do. That’s where martial arts can help.
Many people join a dojo with their friends and family. You can enjoy each other’s company (and punch one another) while staying fit and accomplishing your goals. Dojos are also full of people with similar interests and goals, giving you the opportunity to meet new people and make friends. That’s part of what makes martial arts so fun.
Instructors
A martial arts session is run by an instructor who understands your abilities and goals. They’ll constantly keep things exciting by challenging your skills without overwhelming you. Instructors will also motivate you by awarding you higher ranking belts as your skills develop.
Accountability
One reason people fail to build a habit is a lack of accountability. It’s easy to slack off when no one is relying on you.
With martial arts, you have an entire dojo rooting for you and holding you accountable. Your friends, instructor, and community want you to succeed, and you’ll find plenty of encouragement and support that’ll help you stick to your goals.
Flexible Schedule
Life gets busy. You have work, important events, or you might feel a little sick one day. At Traditional Martial Arts And Fitness, we provide karate sessions every day of the week. If you’re unable to make your regular session, you can always attend another one. This lets you stay consistent and build healthy habits.
If you’re interested make sure to give us a call at +971 4 430 1011. You can also send us an email at INFO@MARTIALARTDXB.COM. Start your fitness journey today!
