| Goal Setting
One of the main questions that I ask new clients and people who are starting on an exercise regimen is "What's your goal?" The usual answer that I get is "I want to lose weight and feel better." As reasonable as that type of an answer may sound it's not really a goal. Losing weight, feeling better and looking better are those wonderful things that happen on the way to attaining a real measurable and memorable goal.
So what exactly is a goal?
It's something that will never change. That you will keep
with you forever and that you can build on in years to come.
What I mean is a 5K race. A triathlon, or any other type
of endeavor that you can look forward to. I often tell people that one of the routes towards achieving fitness is signing up for an event...taping the welcome packet up in your home or office for everyone to see...and telling everyone you know about it. Once you do this, you are well on your way.
Another misconception that people
have is that by training, they will quickly start to lose
weight. The truth is that muscle is much more dense and
heavier than fat. Once a person begins to build muscle
they may actually see their weight increase. Of course
over time, said muscle will help burn away the fat and a person
will see physical changes in both size and appearance. It's also important to remember that "Fitness Peaks" as they are known happen around every forty five days. What this means is that for a month and a half you will see nominal changes and then around the forty five day mark you will be rewarded with noticeable changes in physique, strength and endurance. This peak lasts for about five days, becomes the norm and then we start building again and waiting for our next peak in fitness. Sadly a great many people quit exercising long before they ever experience their first peak. So What Now - My suggestion would be to sign up for something in the spring. Get together with a trainer to help you plan a program. Start training and when you are on that starting line remember that you have already accomplished more than 99% of the people out there.
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When
you cross that finish line, get the medal, that T-Shirt and that
gift bag; you will have a tangible memory of having attained a
goal. The weight loss, feeling better and looking better
will take care of themselves.