How to Keep Your 2012 Fitness Goals
This year, skip the grand resolutions and opt for a simple, healthy, active lifestyle. Set small goals you can tackle and achieve one by one throughout the year. Follow these tips to set yourself up for a success!
Set mini-goals
Skip the big, vague goals and target mini-goals: small, specific goals that will lead to positive changes and even create new habits. Rather than say you want to get stronger, choose 1 or 2 specifics things you want to improve such as, "I want to work my way up to 16 toe-pushups in 10 weeks."
Commit to an event
A set date and event will help you focus on your goal. You can register for a 5K run in the spring. You’ve got enough time to train if you start now. Then you can try a 10K run in the fall. To make it even more fun, rally some friends to join you.
Keep it real
Take a look at your lifestyle. How much time do you really have to go to the gym every week? Is it realistic to say 5 days a week? Be honest. If it’s not, you’ll just set yourself up to fail. Keep it real and you will succeed.
Forgive, forget and move forward
If you miss a workout because you just aren’t up for it, or you’re sick, or you had to work late, don’t worry about it; just get back on track right away.
Schedule your workout
Make it part of your weekly routine. Choose the days and times that work with your regular schedule and lifestyle. If your work schedule changes weekly, then plan your workout schedule to be weekly, too. Once you have it figured out, add it to your calendar—with reminders on! This will keep you on schedule and will organize your workout, work and home times.
Mix things up
Variety will keep challenging your body in new and different ways and will prevent your mind from getting bored. Change your workout routine; mix and match cardio, strength and flexibility. Try new classes and activities to help you find what you love most.
Last but not least, get some friends to workout with you. It can be more fun to go together, you can spot each other, challenge and motivate one another and even engage in some friendly competition. You can encourage one another to go to the gym. Best of all you can celebrate your successes together!
What are you fitness goals for 2012?
Katya Mohsen is a fitness trainer and consultant who is passionate about active living. Follow her on Twitter: @killer_kat