Health and fitness are top New Year's resolution for 68% of Pinoys, survey shows

A healthier 2021 for Pinoys?

Newly launched health and fitness app REBEL conducted a survey among 500 Filipinos nationwide and it showed that majority of Pinoys are prioritizing a healthier lifestyle this 2021.

REBEL's survey showed that 68% of Filipinos chose exercise and healthy living as their top resolutions for 2021, while 16% of the respondents also intend to reduce their stress, and look after their mental health.

It's always easy to set goals at the beginning of the year as a motivation of change for the better but following through them is where the challenge lies.

According to the survey, Filipinos listed lack of time, the heat, digital distractions, and the cost as among the challenges to their resolution.

But with the kind of change that 2020 asked of everyone, including the fitness industry, these challenges have become easier to deal with, and the resolutions, easier to see through.

REBEL suggested following the "SMART" acronym: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

First, be specific and set a clear and precise goal that you can commit to. 

Next is to make it "measurable." Having a system that will help you track your progress and results is a good way to do this.

Make sure your goals are achievable. Big goals and loft changes are well and good but real talk is: big goals can be intimidating. How do you make them achieavable? By approaching your goals incrementally.

For instance, instead of trying to achieve 10,000 steps the minute you get your Fitbit, you can try setting out a 5,000-step daily goal on your first week and then increasing that to 6,000 the following week, and so on and so forth until you reach 10,000 steps a day. Remember: baby steps forward, even if they seem too small, is still movement forward. 

One also has to make resolutions and goals that are "relevant" to what you want to be at the end of 2021. For instance, eating better doesn't necessarily mean losing weight. So make sure your goals are aligned to what it is you want to be. 

Last on the list is "time-bound." REBEL said one should "set realistic deadlines" for themselves.

The REBEL app is a locally grown digital fitness platform by Nico Bolzico and Erwan Heussaff. It has a wide range of 15-minute workouts, entertaining trainers, and healthy recipes using local ingredients.

The app is available on App Store and Google Play and the program is free for the next 7 days. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News