The key to success is developing a habit when it comes to exercise. Developing a new habit takes time and consistency. It is important to choose a goal that is reasonable and achievable. Take a few days and figure out what aspect of your health needs improvement. It may be that you have been thinking about starting a fitness program but don’t know where to begin, or possibly, you have been exercising for a few years but feel you are stuck in a rut. What ever it is that you feel is important is where you need to start.
Once you decide on what you want to achieve in the next year, visualize yourself achieving it. If your goal is to lose ten pounds, actually see yourself ten pounds lighter than you are now. Picture what clothes you are wearing and how you feel being ten pounds lighter. Visualize as much detail as possible. What is it that your are doing on a daily basis that got you there? Are you going to a gym several days a week? Maybe you are working out at home instead. Do you have a friend or training partner you work out with? What time of day are you doing this and what physical activities are you doing? Imagine how you actually feel as well as how you look.
Next decide if there are intermittent steps you need to take to get there. Do you need to first join an exercise facility? Or maybe you will buy some home exercise equipment. From that point you may decide what type of exercise schedule you will keep. Try to work out the same time of day each time you work out. Maybe you will need to contact a personal fitness trainer for help or buy some gym shoes to exercise in. Write down each of these steps and in the process you are creating a written plan to follow throughout the year. Not only does writing down the actual steps solidify your goals, but it gives you a road map to refer to throughout the year, adding direction to your goals.
Remember, the first step towards success is to decide on a goal, visual it, write down all the steps it will take you to get there, and then do it!
Melissa Allen, BS, CPT, CES is a certified personal trainer, corrective exercise specialist and Medifast health coach, is the owner of the Optimum Condition Corrective Exercise & Performance Center, located in El Cajon, in the East County of San Diego. We specialize in customized fitness training and corrective exercise for both recreational athletes and post-rehab clients, as well as guaranteed weight loss programs or your money back. You can schedule a free consultation to help you get started. Please visit her website at OptimumCondition.org.
