Many people come to personal trainers with broad product goals such as losing weight, toning up, or getting fit. None of the goals identify a motivator such as sleeping better, having more confidence, improving energy, being able to play with kids/grandkids, etc.
Having a motivator will more likely help you to stick with a fitness routine. Writing down a SMART goal is a great place to start. It should be Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Remember a fitness routine doesn’t have to be all or nothing just all or something. There will be barriers that come up in life that prevent us from doing what we planned. You can overcome these barriers by planning ahead. For example, if you know family is coming into town ask them to go on a walk with you. Or if you have a lot of appointments coming up try to plan just 15 minutes during your day to get some movement in. Sometimes it can be as easy as parking further away to get extra steps to where you are going.
Physical activity doesn’t have to be lifting or going for a run. Sometimes it may be walking around the school as you wait for your kid to finish practice. It may be throwing a tennis ball for your dog to chase.
All little things add up and it starts with those little things to make a routine! Instead of jumping into big fitness goals and becoming sore and then falling off and repeating the same vicious cycle, make yourself fitness goals you know you can do.
Instead of saying, “I am going to run a half marathon”, you might instead say “I am going to jog to the end of my street”. Having an overall goal of a half marathon is great, but if you are new to fitness or restarting your journey these big goals a lot of the time can lead to injury or burnout.
If you start with small achievable goals eventually you will get to that big goal without even realizing it and build confidence in yourself. If you need help starting the Kewaunee County Public Health Department offers several opportunities to get you started on your fitness routine.
