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Are YOU getting fit in the new year?

Some people will say they can't be bothered, others will say that they want to burn off all the excess food and drink they consumed over the Christmas holidays etc.  For me, I always enjoy Christmas, the holidays but also enjoy keeping myself fit and I still want to get fitter, stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle in the new year!  

In order to keep me motivated in exercise, I set myself challenges, never big ones, just small ones.  For the new year, I'll be doing more exercise, making up new routines, attending more courses and workshops on your behalf.  I think if you say “I’ll try and fit in exercise/ pilates” you don’t get it done and don’t succeed.  Whereas, if you get your diary out and fit in some exercise around your other activities, and actually write it in to your diary, plan to do it, it’s more likely to happen!  

What challenge will you be setting yourself this year?  

How can you measure your goals and keep track of them?  If you are anything like me, you plan to do something and then a thousand other things come along at the same time and then you forget about yourself.   I want to do more things that I enjoy and less that I don't!  Easier said than done?

In order to keep track of your plans and/or goals, my advice would be to make sure your goals are SMART  [SMART acronym newly defined for goal setting]  

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time based. - Why not transfer this to all your aims, goals and objectives to fit your lifestyle as well as your fitness regime?

Example: I'll start with -

  • S:  specific, significant
  • M means measurable, but I also recommend meaningful, memorable, motivating and even, magical.
  • A is an achievable goal but A also needs to stand for action plans, accountability, and agreed-upon.
  • R means relevant, but it also stands for realistic, reasonable,  results-oriented, rewarding, responsible, and remarkable.
  • T means time-based and it also represents timely, tangible and thoughtful.

Keep a log of what your SMART goals are - that way you can check your progress!  - have a look at the example……..


 

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Timed

 

Example 1:

Lose 7lbs in weight? WHY? For Who?

 

Example 2:

Get fitter, more toned, stronger body.

 

How do you know you have lost weight? Are you going to use your clothes as a predictor of weight loss?

Measure how you feel after a class (eg more energy, feel better). Measure results over 2 or 3 months.

How are you going to lose the weight? What workouts are you going to do? 

 

                           Which classes to attend: Fitness Pilates, body conditioning (fat burning), Cardio, Salsa?

Set yourself small weekly / monthly / goals.

 

 

Set yourself monthly goals.  Persevere with a class – don’t just go once or twice – get in to the habit of going.

What's the date you need to do this by?

 

 

Fitness classes should be part of a daily or weekly routine, not just a short lived fad.

 

Part of the article by Caroline Oliver 

 
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