Last week we focused on the Fitness Formula. The Fitness Formula is quite simple, and at its core involves only 2 requirements: eating right and exercising. But to actually achieve fitness, a crucial third element is needed, and that’s motivation. Because, while it might sound easy, the Fitness Formula is hard. And even for those lucky people who are already fit, staying that way takes work as well. But doing the same old, same old gets really boring after the first few days. So, to spice things up and keep your motivation at any stage of your fitness journey, why not use your goal setting to grow?
Envision what things might be like
A different way to look at your goals is to envision how you’d like things to be. If it’s the beginning of the year, what do you want December to look like for you? Obviously, you can do this exercise any time, but starting at the beginning of the year and looking at the end of it seems natural.
Starting with your appearance, what size do you want to wear? How is your health? What does your kitchen look like – can you make healthy meals from the food that’s in your fridge and your cabinets? And what activities are you involved in? Take the opportunity to dream a little big. Get a little uncomfortable. Use your goal setting to grow. When you take risks, there’s so much more opportunity to grow than if you play it safe.
With challenges, there’s growth
This is the exciting part. The year is your oyster, so to speak, and it’s up to you to make a statement for it. You don’t want to set easy goals, because there’s no challenge there, and probably little if any personal growth. Growth leads to resilience which leads to optimism and, ultimately, your healthy aging. And we all want to be our best, healthiest selves as we get older. As we learn more and do more, we gain self-confidence and resolve. We know that anything’s possible.
A challenging, but silly, personal example
Let’s take a silly example. In an effort to improve my balance, over and above doing the practical, proven exercises recommended every week in the Balance for Fitness Balance for Life Group (private, on Facebook), I wanted to test myself with the one-arm, one-leg plank pose in an effort to be ready to join the circus if the opportunity presents itself. (Told you it was silly.) I figured, what could be so hard? Tried it, and landed on my face. Apparently not so simple. After weeks of modifying on one knee or one arm, strengthening my core and getting used to what the pose felt like, I tried it again for a second. And landed on my face. But ultimately I was successful. So, how did I grow in this endeavor? I learned that I’m persistent and I can learn. There’s nothing I can’t do if I can figure out a way to modify and figure out the steps that will ultimately achieve my goal.
Goal setting to grow
So, what do you want to achieve by the end of the year? Lose 10 pounds? Super. Cut out sugar from your diet? Excellent. You’ll figure out healthier, tasty alternatives. Be in shape to hike through Europe even if you’ve never laced up a pair of hiking boots? Wonderful. Set a deadline, figure out your steps toward the goal, and get ready to grow.
