The start of a new year means New Year resolutions… those inevitable rituals that should be approached with enthusiasm for the upcoming year, the expectation of change and a new road ahead. And in the long list of great resolutions, “Do more sport” is one of the most popular. As it turns out, on the endless quest for improved physical and spiritual well-being, sports activities provide loads of new possibilities. For 2024, our recommendations are less about “do more sport” and more about “do sport better” which involves setting realistic goals like staying motivated, integrating new activities, modifying your diet, avoiding injuries, dialing in the right equipment and much more.
1. Get a race number
Yep, right from the start! Even if you’re just beginning to run, entering a road or trail race will give you a specific goal for which to train and provide a set date to achieve it. This way, you can create and follow a training plan to progress at your own pace and build performance right until the big day arrives. Whether it’s your first 10k, a marathon, or an ultra-trail epic, adding a race day to your calendar is a great way to stay on course and not get sidetracked.
2. Try new sports
Variety is a great source of motivation! To avoid routine and mix in some fun, taking up a new sport is a good way to discover new experiences as well as boost your progress in your preferred sport. In fact, there is often plenty of crossover benefits between sports and the rewards of different disciplines are always a good experience. For example, yoga will improve your flexibility for climbing, cycling builds leg strength for skiing, cross-country skiing improves cardio while you wait for trail running season, and running will refine your effort management for endurance projects. It’s a virtuous, never-ending circle!
3. Gear up for your sport
Clothes don’t make the man, that’s for sure. However, in sport, the right clothing and high-performance equipment can make all the difference! So, to have the most fun and achieve your goals, regardless of your skill level and aspirations, it’s important to be well-equipped. When dialing in your gear there are many factors to consider and nothing should be left to chance, especially when it comes to outdoor activities where your equipment also serves to keep you safe.
4. Create a playlist that boosts your energy
Music has a remarkable effect on things like stress, memory, and emotions. It also adds an undeniable boost to any sporting activity, so feel free to consume without moderation. There’s nothing like good beats to motivate you! Stride for stride let yourself be uplifted by the frenzied rhythm of a rock anthem, go the distance with a symphony, sing at the top of your voice while stretching, or cool down with a piano solo. Music accompanies and engages you as you move! Looking for inspiration? Check out our playlists here.
5. Plan a sports vacation
Combining vacation time with sporting activities is a great way to discover a new place and recharge your batteries at the same time. Whether you’re in the mountains, the forest, or by the sea, hiking is both a leisure pursuit and a contemplative sport that has many benefits including gently strengthening your body, clearing your mind, and it’s a fantastic way to discover new scenery. So how about a trek in Corsica? Day hikes from an alpine base camp? A trip between sea and mountains in the Pyrenees or along a coastal trail in Brittany? There’s no shortage of trekking and hiking possibilities! All you need to do is choose the destination and start packing for your next sports vacation!
6. Eat better and drink more (water)
Nutrition and hydration are at the top of the list of New Year’s resolutions and are also often at the heart of many athletes’ obsessions. We’re not talking about eating less to lose weight or drinking less alcohol, but about eating better and drinking more water every day to boost metabolism and optimize performance. Proper hydration is essential for sport, and water will always be more revitalizing than sodas or energy drinks (and of course, alcohol. You can forget the myth of the recovery beer!) So, the goal for 2024: two liters of water per day!
7. Strength in numbers
It's not always easy to find the motivation to put on your running shoes, and the lure of the sofa is often difficult to fight when you’re facing it alone. So if you’re looking for a way to resist the temptation to slack off, being a part of a group is an effective remedy. Whatever your motivation, group dynamics have proven their worth, whether you’re trying not to lose face in front of your friends or looking forward to a post-running aperitif! Plan regular get-togethers with your friends or find a sports group then join in on the various outings and leave your slippers in the closet!
8. Measure and evaluate your performance and progress
Technology is becoming an ever-increasing part of our daily lives, especially when it comes to sports. Connected watches and all kinds of apps have become virtual coaches that know everything! Every stride and heartbeat are on their radar and your effort is analyzed in minute detail to highlight your progress. To challenge yourself or your friends, running and fitness apps allow you to track your progress step-by-step and define your goals for each session.
9. Plan your training
Start your calendars! Having a training schedule not only helps structure your sporting activity so that it lines up with your objectives. It also has the benefit of making sport part of your daily routine to the point of becoming habit. The fact that you can organize your training schedule so that you make sure you have time for sports will be an extra incentive to stick to your objectives.
10. Have fun and celebrate the small victories and progress
This resolution is the sine qua non for keeping all your other resolutions! If it’s not fun, it will be hard to reach your goals. Alone with the sounds of nature or music, with old colleagues or new friends, in a rousing routine or the novelty of the unknown, whether you’re out there because you’re hooked on being active or for the adrenaline at the end of the effort, it’s essential that you find the right balance by having fun. Be ambitious, set high goals, but also set intermediate targets and congratulate yourself on all your daily progress. That’s goal #1.
Happy New Year!
