10 Ways to Get Fit in San Diego – Make Your New Years Resolution Stick

Happy 20234! Time for the yearly “Let’s get in shape. This time for real!” game. Ready to play? Seriously, though. I play this game every year too, so I am with you. is 2024 the year? Maybe with these ideas to get fit in San Diego, I will reach my fitness goals? How about you? What is your fitness goal for 2024?

Go for a Hike

There are so many fantastic hiking trails for all levels in and around San Diego. The beautiful nature around you will distract you from the huffing and puffing and make it worth your while. For beginners, I recommend the Torrey Pines hiking trails. For a bit more advanced hikers, you could set yourself the goal to do the Mission Trails 5 Peak challenge. You might not get a medal anymore, but it is still an accomplishment. And for serious hikers, the next step up is the San Diego Six Pack of Peaks.

Check out some local hiking groups on Facebook to find hiking buddies if you don’t want to hike alone. I personally love hiking and try to hit the trails as often as I can. For 2024, I am committed to the San Diego Six Packs of Peaks. Don’t they say if you write down your goals and announce it to the world, you are more likely to do it? Well, I will post updates on the blog about my hiking progress, so stay tuned!

Find a Personal Trainer

I don’t know why, but hiring a personal trainer works. Maybe it is the money you spend that gets you off the couch and into the gym, maybe it is the deep fear of them screaming at you at your next weigh-in? No, but in all seriousness. These experts know what they are doing and can help you reach your fitness goals more easily.

If you feel some sticker shock on how much a personal training session costs, check out Groupon for deals. There are a lot of them, especially in the beginning of the year.

Spend Time on the Water

Winter might not sound like the best season to get into watersports, but at least you don’t have to fight the crowds on the running and biking trails. How about kayaking or paddle boarding? Once you know what you are doing, you should be able to stay relatively dry. I love that San Diego offers so many spots for watersport newbies, such as Mission Bay, the San Diego Bay, or the San Diego lakes nearby.

Or you could try out the ultimate SoCal sport: Surfing. Don’t know how? Take one of these Surf Lessons in San Diego!

Get a Fitness Tracker

I got my fitness tracker a few years ago and it really made a difference for me. It makes me take Robby for an extra walk at night or, when I am really desperate, jog around the living room like a crazy person. But hey, every step counts, right?

I decided on a Garmin watch (this one here). I love Apple watches, but since I switch between Android and Apple phones, I wanted one that works with both. I have had it for almost 3 years now and it still works great.

Sign up for a Race

You can probably find a race of some sort every week in San Diego, so there are no excuses! Nothing motivates more than signing up for a race and seeing the countdown to race day tick down. You don’t have to sign up for one of the San Diego Marathons just yet, but maybe a fun 5k?

Explore New Running/Biking Routes

A change of scenery can be really helpful. San Diego has fantastic running routes, trail running, and bike paths all over the county and for every level. Whether you want to go through the heart of downtown or enjoy a peaceful run/bike session in nature, you will find something that will distract you and make your workout session so much more enjoyable.

Find a Fitness Buddy

Studies have shown you are more likely to show up if you made a commitment to someone else, not just yourself. When you know your friend is waiting for you at the gym or trailhead, you can’t let them down.

It is also nice to have someone who can give you a little pep talk when you hit a low point and celebrate your wins. If they have a bit more experience, you can also learn a lot from them along the way. It is also a lot less intimidating when you first go to unfamiliar places (the gym) or places you don’t know anyone (your first race). So go find yourself a training partner and get started!

Find the Perfect Gym

I have to admit. I am not a gym rat. At least not anymore. I used to go a few times a week and met up with a personal trainer once a week, and that was one of the times I actually really saw results and felt fit. I did a few sessions of cardio and weightlifting a week, and it really made a difference. After a few months, I signed up for my first 5k ever. Then a 10k. Then I fell off the wagon and onto the couch. Funny how that happens…

But this was actually the longest I have ever stuck with a fitness routine. Do you have any routines you stuck with longer than any other? Maybe we should go back to what worked before?!?

Get a Dog or Volunteer at a Shelter

A dog can be another “fitness buddy” that can help you be more active. If you don’t have a dog or don’t want to commit to caring for one, you can volunteer at a shelter and take one of the pups there for a run, hike, or gentle walk around the neighborhood.

Just remember: A dog is not like that old treadmill that you can put in the corner or return when you don’t feel like it anymore.

Find Your Zen with Yoga & Meditation

When we plan to get fit, we often focus on the body and forget the mind. Meditation can help you reduce stress and stay focused during your workouts. By strengthening your mind, you will be better equipped when your workout is tough or not going as planned. I love the Headspace App. They have beginner and advanced courses for Meditation and also Fitness-specific meditations, such as walking meditations and more.

Yoga is also a great way to get your body and mind in shape. During your practice, you strengthen your muscles, become more flexible, and learn to control your breathing. When you choose more vigorous forms of yoga, such as a fast Vinyasa or Hot Yoga, you can burn more than 500 calories per hour.

No matter which way you choose to get fit in San Diego, the main key is to stick to it. It’s important that you try various things and find something you truly enjoy and like. The scale alone is usually not enough motivation. So get a plan in place now that will get you through the tough times.

Feel free to share your fitness goals for 2024 and your plan to reach them in the comments.

Get Fit in San Diego – Pin for Later:

Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Maria Haase

The post 10 Ways to Get Fit in San Diego – Make Your New Years Resolution Stick appeared first on San Diego Explorer.