By Kevin Wells

Photo by Pixabay

It’s a new year, and you have the opportunity to set goals for a whole new you. It’s time to stay true to your health and wellness goals for the new year and to be sure you’re practicing self care. Being healthy doesn’t have to be expensive either.. If you’ve recently retired, or have extra time to dedicate to your health, it’s time to set achievable goals to help you stay healthy and strong.

Make Sure They’re Manageable Goals

The first step in staying true to your health and self-care goals is to set achievable goals. Make sure they’re goals that depend on you, not on someone else. The best part of setting goals is that it’s completely free, but you don’t want to get carried away and aim for goals that are impossible or that will be too challenging to achieve. Start with small goals you know you can hit. For example, resolve to go for three walks per week, or run twice a week. Don’t start with a goal like running five miles each day, since this will be harder to achieve, and will leave you feeling defeated.

Commit To Change

The best way to stay true to your health and wellness goals is to commit to change. Pick the area you most want to change, and make a commitment to yourself that you’ll stick with it no matter what. For example, if you want to get in shape or maintain mobility as you age, you could commit to running every week. Take it seriously, and write down this commitment to yourself. Tell your loved ones about your commitment, and stick with it even when the going gets tough.

Find An Accountability Partner

Another great way to stay motivated, even without an expensive gym membership, is to find an accountability partner. Do you have a friend who wants to get in shape? You can schedule a weekly run or walk together, and motivate each other to stay on track. Need help taking time for yourself with great self-care? You can still use an accountability partner, and phone each other once a week to make sure you’ve both been spending time on yourself.

Use the Right Gear

If you want to be more active in the new year, stay true to your wellness goals by making sure you have the right apparel and shoes. If running is indeed your overall goal, you'll want comfortable shoes that provide constant support, and these don't have to be expensive. Boost your journey to health and increased energy by looking for running shoe deals at the perfect price point. And whether it's shoes or apparel, you can easily find promotions and discounts on all your favorite brands with only a little digging. You may even get cash back on your purchases, which you can put toward your next pair of shoes when you wear these out with all your hard work.

Reward Yourself

Add some extra motivation to achieve your goals by planning a simple reward. You can reward yourself for sticking to your goals at least once per month, rather than waiting half a year before you congratulate yourself on a job well done. Plan a simple reward that doesn’t break the bank, like taking an amazing bubble bath, treating yourself to a massage, or watching a movie you’re excited to see.

Staying true to yourself and meeting your health and wellness goals doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Set an achievable goal, commit to change, and work with an accountability partner to keep you on track. Be sure to reward yourself for meeting your milestones, and get the gear you need to be safe and exercise well regardless of your age.