Published: January 07, 2009 05:04 pm      

Plan for fitness success

Submitted by Hamilton Bradley Center for Wellness



With a new year comes a new beginning. For many, the realization of previous half-hearted attempts at exercise come crashing in.

People flock to workout facilities and promise themselves they are truly ready to become fit and healthy. Why do so many people veer from these promises? In many instances the answer is simple — most people don’t have a plan of attack.

When it comes to exercise, planning and setting goals may seem such a bland concept that we just overlook it. Many exercise enthusiasts jump headlong into the world of health and fitness with no concrete objectives in mind. However, it has been proven that those individuals who have taken the time to devise a logical plan and pre-set goals have been the ones who are willing to go the extra mile and stick with an exercise regimen. A plan helps to set us in motion, and goals help to keep us in motion. Without this, what will stop you from quitting again?

Seek “know how”

It is always best for even the largest egos to step back in humility and learn in order to move forward. It will serve you best to seek assistance or advice from those who can help you. An old proverb says, “by wise guidance you will make battle for yourself, and in abundance of counselors there is victory,” so maybe going it alone is not the best route for you.

This is the information age, but too much information can be as bad as too little if it distracts you from the key truths you need to follow. Finding someone who’s been where you want to go and/or has experience in helping others will certainly prove to be beneficial.

Goals for gains

Set long-term goals for yourself, something that can be accomplished within a year’s time. This is a major step, because these long-term goals will more than likely change some aspect of the way you live your life. Write down three to five long-term goals in order of importance that you would like to accomplish. Then, write down why you would like to accomplish these goals. Ask yourself questions like:

• Why is this important to you?

• What are you willing to do to make this a reality for you?

• What things are you not willing to? (Always ask this).

• How will you feel when this is accomplished?

Consider the obstacles that might stunt your progress along the way and write them down. By doing so, you will be more prepared for these situations as they come and will be able to create a battle plan for successfully overcoming them.

Next, set short-term goals that will allow you to reach your long-term goals. A long-term goal might be to lose 40 pounds in a year. A short-term goal could be to lose 3 to 4 pounds per month. Be sure not to set your sights too low to prevent you from hitting your mark or so high that they are unobtainable. Staying on track with the short-term goals makes achieving the long-term goal a snap.

That’s no fun

The success of your fitness program depends on the consistency of your involvement. Make sure you select activities that encourage your commitment as best you can. Poor activity choices create obstacles and can turn exercise into a chore. For example, if you don’t enjoy running, don’t plan to run. There are other forms of cardiovascular exercise that will suit you better and yield the same results.

When choosing activities for your exercise program, ask yourself: Will this activity hold your interest over time? Can you fit this activity into your daily schedule? Will this activity help you reach your goals? Answering questions such as these will help you piece together an enjoyable, yet challenging program.

Where am I?

Keep a record of your training and progress. It will help you see the changes that have occurred over time. Results are the most important incentive to keep you motivated. Try to do something each day that puts you one step closer to reaching your goals. Congratulate yourself on achievements. Celebrate your successes, but never take your eyes off the big picture. Take measures to keep you focused and help continue on with the positive lifestyle behaviors you have created.

Make no mistake about it, getting in shape is tough. It takes lot of patience, discipline and hard work. It will seem much easier and less monotonous if you have a plan of attack. Remember, your goals should be obtainable while still making them challenging enough to remain interesting. Having a crisp, clear plan may be the difference between another year of regrets and years of success.



Written by Jeremy Walraven, fitness consultant, Bradley Wellness Center