With my first year gym anniversary fast approaching, there is no better time to reflect on the past 12 months. As I combed through my thoughts, I came across this article by fitness expert Tom Holland (http://home.trainingpeaks.com/articles/general-fitness/brand-new-year,-same-old-lies.aspx ) about setting, and keeping, fitness goals. We all, for various reasons, set lofty goals in the New Year, yet we so often neglect the road to those goals. Last year, I had two basic goals (other than actually working out): to plan my workouts, and to eat more fruit and vegetables.
Holland outlines three things that should be a part of helping you define your year’s goals:
Resolution #1: Pick several short-term concrete goal
Resolution #2: Stay off of the scale
Resolution #3: Pick an event as your long-term goal
I have a couple of fitness goals for the year ahead, which I’ll keep to myself for now. But whatever you decide to do, always, always plan ahead and have fun.
Note: Still working on the consuming more fruit and vegetable resolution.
Holland outlines three things that should be a part of helping you define your year’s goals:
Resolution #1: Pick several short-term concrete goal
- As I said, my fitness goal was to plan my workouts. I got started with a personal trainer because I needed a concrete plan - one on paper. I went to classes, did research, and sought advice from friends in the fitness community for new ideas. That said, the original on-paper plan was, and still is, the foundation for workouts to this day.
Resolution #2: Stay off of the scale
- This is a great resolution. Holland suggests you use an article of clothing that no longer fits, aiming to again comfortably fit into it, to measure your short term goals.
- Other methods to track weight loss, which I don’t recommend, are: using measurements, or taking monthly pictures. Unless you know what you’re doing, measurements will not be accurate. My measurements never seemed to change, but I definitely noticed the difference in the fit of my clothes. And pictures are nice, but photos did not show my improved posture or lack of back pain.
Resolution #3: Pick an event as your long-term goal
- I did not have one, but maybe I should have. Next year?
I have a couple of fitness goals for the year ahead, which I’ll keep to myself for now. But whatever you decide to do, always, always plan ahead and have fun.
Note: Still working on the consuming more fruit and vegetable resolution.