Here’s why you should. Studies consistently show that 90% of people who plan their goals, accomplish them.
Your personal fitness plan is The Great Motivator. Your plan keeps you accountable to yourself , and lets you measure your progress virtually daily. Your plan gives you milestones en route to your health and fitness goals—measurable results, and on-going rewards for your commitment.
So what do you want to accomplish? A 7-minute mile after 6 months? Lose 25 pounds? Develop your upper body? Get toned? Get into a Size 10 in time for the wedding? Wear a bikini next summer? EVERYTHING starts from what you want to accomplish, from the results that you want to achieve.
Nail it down from the start. “I want to be in shape” is not enough Your hopes and goals, and your plan, are uniquely yours. So, think it all the way through until you can specify what “in shape” means to you. Slimmer? Toned? Stronger? Faster? More endurance? More flexibility? Be as specific as you can . The more specific your goals, the better you’ll be able to visualize them and work towards them.
Aim for what you can hit. Hit what you aim for. Don’t set yourself up to fail by aiming for the moon! Set realistic, achievable goals, both long and short term—but focus on the short term. If your long-term goal is, say, to shed 50 pounds by next year, without breaking the goal into shorter-term milestones, it’s easy to let your discipline lapse. After all, ” you have plenty of time!” But setting a goal of two pounds a week is an immediate goal, a far less daunting task, and a chance to have success on a regular basis. Another great idea? Make establishing your fitness routine your first target. “30 minutes, 4 days a week.” Keep your short-term achievements coming—and the long-term results will follow right along.
Keep a fitness log! Maintain your fitness log of workouts and results as diligently as your bank book! Tracking your achievements stokes the incentive fires, and also lets you make adjustments based on actual results. (Note: some top-of-the-line home fitness machines will keep a computerized log for you.)
Make workouts a habit — part of your normal lifestyle Create a schedule that best suits the realities of your daily life. Make it part of your normal routine and set your goals around the activities of your days. What’s best for you—morning, afternoon, or evening? Can you move other activities around? Will you be the only user of your home fitness equipment?
Don’t bail if you fail. As the poet says, “The best-laid plans go oft astray.” So, chances are, you’re not going to reach every milestone right on schedule. But don’t let your head droop if you’re not doing as well as you hoped, or not progressing as quickly as expected. In fact, reject the whole notion of failure. Missing an objective is simply an opportunity to figure out why—and adjust your plan accordingly. Remember, extraordinary results are achieved by doing ordinary things on a consistent basis.
3 + 1: Cardio, flexibility, strength + diet A complete home health and fitness plan will include cardio, stretching, strength work — and a healthy eating plan.
Ask us, we’ll help. See you soon, Mike.
1-800-335-2770, MGL FITNESS, INC.
