Racing and the Importance of Setting Goals

When you read this, I’ll be in the midst of a half marathon, (thanks to the Word Press auto-post I use nearly every day…).

As much as I love posting about my latest race as I genuinely appreciate the good luck or have fun wishes I receive from you, my readers, this time I’m writing with a two-fold purpose.

I want to write about the importance of setting goals, not just in fitness, but in every day living.  Incidentally, they’re one in the same, and you’ll find that once you become proficient at one area, the others flow along nicely.

Focusing in on fitness, today, though, I often find that clients are forcing themselves to exercise in a way they already know they don’t enjoy (like making yourself go to the gym despite knowing you hate exercising indoors), which results in making it into a punitive activity therefore turning into something you’re far less likely to stick with.

What if, however, you not only enjoyed the type of physical activity you engage it, but also find satisfaction knowing you’re either getting faster or stronger or better at whatever your modality is and can measure it with a some data?

Let’s stick with running as an rather straightforward example.  If you actually like running and want to become a faster runner, entering a 5k might be a good way to set a goal, train accordingly and complete it.

It really doesn’t matter what you choose; what matters is that you enjoy what you’re doing.   

DO:

Try new sports or activities until you find some you enjoy.

Join a interest or MeetUp group, join a club of others who are doing the activity you’re interested in or take some classes.

Continue to set fun, sport or exercise related goals in addition to those you may have that are more health related in order to keep it fun.  Rather than have a mind set of “I have to go to the gym and spend 30 minutes on the stairmaster because my doctor told me to and I hate it so boo-hoo”, why not “I am so excited to have found a beginner’s trekking class and I can’t wait for the next outing”?

DON’T:

Not try new things out of fear.

Force yourself to do the same -old, when the same-old hasn’t worked…ever.

Stop seeing what your body can do!

Remember, having a healthy body that moves is a gift.  There is no good excuse not to move regularly, in some way, shape or form.

It is that easy.