Gay London Life | April '24 Edition - Magazine - Page 32
Health & Wellbeing
Photo: @Macleodimages @CraidMacleod
Put a Spring
in your step
GLL’s fitness and wellness coach Taofique Folarin
says it’s time to shake off those winter blues and
enter a season of renewed energy and vitality!
So, those New Year’s resolutions
we all make? The ones where we
swear we’ll hit the gym five times a
behind your original goals and
assess whether they still resonate.
• Explore New Interests: Be open to
week, eat nothing but kale, and finally
exploring new fitness activities or
master that downward dog pose in
approaches that may better align
yoga? Well, guess what? It’s okay
if you haven’t quite nailed them yet.
with current interests and passions.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Ensure
Look, life happens. Despite our best
that goals are challenging yet
intentions, we sometimes miss a
attainable, taking into account time
workout and overindulge. And you
constraints, resources and other
know what? That’s perfectly fine!
We’re human, not machines!
The key is to focus on progress,
commitments.
• Seek Support: Reach out to friends,
family, or a fitness professional for
not perfection. Celebrate those
encouragement, accountability,
small victories—like that extra push-
and guidance.
up you managed, the extra kilogram
you lifted or choosing a salad over
Reassess
fries. These are the stepping stones
• Smaller Steps: Divide larger goals
to your bigger goals. Every step
into smaller, more manageable
forward, no matter how small, is a
tasks to make progress feel more
win! And if you’ve veered off track
from your goals or resolutions,
achievable.
• Adjust Timelines: Extend or shorten
don’t sweat it. Instead, use it as an
timelines as needed to better
opportunity to reflect, reconnect
reflect realistic expectations and
and reassess.
accommodate any changes in
circumstance.
Here are a few pointers to help
you on your way:
• Experiment with New Approaches:
Explore different workout
routines, nutritional strategies, or
Reflect
• Celebrate Achievements:
Acknowledge the progress made
scheduling options to find what
works best for you.
• Practice Self-Compassion: Be
so far, no matter how small. Every
kind to yourself during adjustment
step counts!
periods and recognise that
• Identify Obstacles: Pinpoint any
challenges or barriers that may
have hindered progress toward the
original goal.
• Adjust Expectations: Recognise
that goals may need to be modified
setbacks are a natural part of the
process.
• Stay Flexible and Adaptive: Remain
open to further adjustments as
needed and be willing to pivot
based on feedback and outcomes.
based on individual circumstances
and realities.
• Embrace Flexibility: Remain open
Let’s promise to do our best,
whatever that looks like this season.
to adapting goals and strategies to
Let’s show ourselves some love
better align with changing priorities
and kindness because we deserve
and circumstances.
it. And let’s remember that it’s not
about where we are now—it’s about
Reconnect
our journey.
• Reconnect with your Why: Reflect
on the underlying motivations
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@TaofiqueFolarin