Are you ready to take your workouts to the next level? Whether you’re starting at ground zero, or you’re a trained fitness professional, there’s always room for growth. Perhaps you’re still getting into your new post-pandemic routine, or maybe you’ve been working out regularly but not seeing the results you want yet. If you’re feeling ready for a change, keep reading.
Let’s start by taking a moment to acknowledge where you are currently. Chances are you’ve done some work to get there and it’s important to appreciate that effort and get in the practice of speaking kindly to yourself. You’ll also want to think about what’s worked for you lately – and what hasn’t.
Once you’ve had a moment to meditate on the above, let’s talk about how to define your goal(s):
- Be Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve, in 1-2 goals (three max). Rather than “get in shape" or "lose weight”, try to make your goals specific and measurable. For example, increase cardiovascular endurance to be able to do X (run 5 miles, complete two 45-min Movement Co. cardio classes per week, etc).
- Make Goals Realistic and Attainable: This is where you want to revisit where you are currently, and make sure you are setting goals that are challenging but within your reach. You’ll also want to take into consideration your lifestyle and any upcoming commitments you have. Let’s avoid the scenario in which you set your expectations too high and end up feeling defeated and disappointed!
- Set Short-Term and Long-Term Goals: Start with the long-term goal and work backwards. What should your weekly goals look like in order to get you to where you want to be?
- Prioritize Health and Function: Consider what would improve your overall well-being, vs. focusing solely on aesthetic goals. One of mine is to be able to do the middle splits. I’ve identified that I’ve got tight hips and hamstrings and the daily stretching that is needed to get me to my ‘goal’ is actually going to help improve my overall mobility, reduce low back pain, and improve sport performance. Not to mention I'll have a pretty rad party trick!
- Track Your Progress: Throw it in your journal! Or note your progress on your calendar - whatever method works best for you. This could include tracking weights lifted, recording workout classes taken, measuring body composition changes, or monitoring cardiovascular fitness improvements. Tracking your progress helps you stay accountable and provides helpful feedback so that you can keep or modify your goals as needed.
- Review and Adjust: We’ve got to be flexible, both literally and figuratively, to reach our fitness goals. I’ve had to push back the timeline for my middle splits aspiration a few times already as it’s a much longer process than I originally anticipated. You may also find that you reach a goal faster than you thought you would and you’re ready to add-on!
If working out in your own space is part of your fitness plan, we've got an equipment guide (and a free mini class!) for you. You can find it by scrolling down to the bottom of this page: https://www.movementco.live/blog
Good luck and please keep us posted! We're here for you.
