As spring blooms, countless people are eager to shed their winter sluggishness and reignite their New Year’s resolutions. To assist in this seasonal refresh, Fox News Digital spoke with health and fitness coach David Freeman for his top recommendations on how to spring-clean your wellness routine.
Meet the Expert: David Freeman
David Freeman, 40, from Frisco, Texas, has been a stalwart in the fitness industry for over 15 years. Currently the national director of Alpha with Life Time, Freeman’s journey began as a college football player at the University of Richmond.
“People in this space want a balance between their workouts, mental well-being, nutrition and overall health and fitness,” he said. He added, “Technology truly has leveled up for individuals to be able to track a lot of these elements.”
1. Set Clear Objectives
Freeman recommends creating specific and clear objectives to ensure you stay on a productive wellness path.
“If that is reducing stress, improving [your] quality of sleep or improving nutrition, just make sure you are able to measure this progress objectively within your game plan,” Freeman said.
Setting realistic and attainable goals is crucial for your wellness routine to stand the test of time.
2. Change Up the Norm
Breaking out of habitual patterns can invigorate your fitness journey. The fitness professional said to stop being a creature of habit for once. Instead, change things up. “Try something new that allows you to learn and also [something] that allows you to grow in the space of fitness,” he said.
He added, “For example, if I am always doing high intensity training, maybe I slow things down and jump in a yoga class or Pilates to switch up the tempo.” Switching up your routine can not only enhance your mental strength but also introduce new physical challenges to your workout.
3. Prioritize Self-Care and Stress Management
Focusing on self-care and stress reduction is essential for overall wellness. Freeman recommended finding three self-care things to focus on this spring season. He suggested “breathing exercises that allow you to tune out all the noise and completely focus on your breathing, plus going outside technology-free and taking a walk with no distractions.” The fitness professional also emphasized the motto, “Mind right, body right.”
Embrace the Journey
For those who might have fallen off the New Year’s resolution wellness wagon, Freeman offered encouraging words. He said to remember that “failure is part of the journey.” He said, “How you respond to [failure] is what matters most… [so] celebrate the small wins and build off that momentum.” Freeman also suggested surrounding yourself with others who want to lift you up and encourage you to keep striving toward your goals. “Just remember in this game of health and wellness that it is not a sprint, but instead a long game of chess [where] the body is always changing and evolving,” he said.
