A few days ago, I met a friend who had been going to the gym wearing brand-new Puma shoes and Decathlon shorts. However, I met him at a restaurant near his gym this time. As I watched him tear a flaky parotta apart, I couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you going to the gym these days?” He didn’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’; instead, he philosophically mused, “Time and calories are never in our hands bro”. If there is one habit that we consistently follow throughout the year, then it would be giving up the good habits that we swore to start for the New Year. Most people forget their New Year resolutions even before the month gets over. According to a 2019 study conducted by Strava, a mobile application for fitness freaks, 80 per cent of people transfer their New Year resolutions to the recycle bin by the second week of January. Interestingly, there is even a day that is specifically dedicated to such people – the Quitters’ Day!

What quitters do…
The history of the New Year’s resolution goes back to ages ago. The legend says that even the ancient Babylonians used to take resolutions during the festival of Akitu at the beginning of the year, around four thousand years ago. Meanwhile, the Quitters’ Day was founded recently to mark the point when many New Year’s resolutions begin to falter. Most people who had been waking up early to hit the gym for the last two weeks would be fast asleep by this time. The smartwatches of those who have vowed to walk 10,000 steps daily would be like a little child who has just learned to count.

Meanwhile, people who had locked up the addictive mobile phone apps would be busy ‘picking’ the locks. Smokers who had decided to quit cigarettes would be lighting one up, and foodies who gave up carbs would be enjoying a plate of delicious tapioca and fish curry by the second week of January. Meanwhile, the ‘smart’ ones keep changing their goals while holding on to their original resolutions. The reader resolved to read at least four books in a month and would conveniently change it to just one book.

It cannot be said that only youngsters are quitters regarding the resolutions. People in all generations are ‘guilty’ of making tall claims and then just forgetting about it. Those who secretly enjoyed a crispy achappam hiding in the kitchen will begin going out occasionally for a cheat meal. But, the cheat meal that is supposed to be enjoyed occasionally soon becomes a regular eating out with friends. Finally, the treadmill, dumbbells and barbells that were supposed to be used regularly will be dumped in a dark corner of the room.

How not to be a fitness quitter
1) Start small
Aim for short-term goals first to build a habit. Once you are on track, add more to your fitness goals, one step at a time.
2) Monitor your progress
Track how your fitness routine progresses, and don’t forget to pat your back and encourage yourself to keep at it. Don’t be too harsh on yourself,f and don’t be laid back either.
3) Find a group
Be it a group of friends, a workout buddy or a fitness group, teaming up with a support system can help you keep at it better if you aren’t self-motivated enough.
4) Don’t forget your ‘why’
Keep reminding yourself the reasons for which you began this jourey. You can also ask your friends and family to nudge you and remind you of your goals.