Achieving Health and Fitness Goals

Most people have a goal when it comes to their health and fitness.  It can be to lose weight, tone up, eat healthier, or maybe feel good for a special occasion like a wedding, birthday or family reunion.

But how do you achieve these goals?

One of the first things to do is to set realistic goals.  I recommend small goals that are achievable in a short space of time.  If your goal is to lose 10kgs, then set a goal of 5kg in a realistic timeframe for you, then work to the 10kg goal in time.

If you are new to exercise or it’s been a long time since you’ve undertaken regular exercise, pace yourself slowly at the start, then increase the intensity.  If you say you want to train 5 days a week and you haven’t done any exercise for years, that can be difficult to maintain as your body needs to adjust to increased exercise.  Start with a regular walk for 10-15 mins every day or every second day for the first week, then build from there.

When starting exercise, I would also recommend seeking help from a professional trainer.  A professional will guide you in the correct technique and prepare a program specific to your needs.

When you are looking at improving your eating habits, again start with small changes. Like reducing alcohol intake, then reducing portion sizes, then looking at what types of food you are eating.  When you can achieve these small goals it gives you incentive to continue. It also improves the likelihood of long term success.

Another factor in successfully achieving goals is considering how you will fit time for exercise into your routine.  You need to be ready to make it a priority in your life.  I recommend putting exercise time into your diary, just like any other event, then you are more likely to fit it in.

If you are busy with family commitments, you can also involve the children in an outdoor activity, like cricket, beach walks and ball games.  The benefits are much more than just physical.  If your children see you exercising then they see it as a normal life activity.

Try and focus just on your personal commitment to your goals, don’t worry about friends or colleagues and how they are achieving their goals.  Sure use their success as your motivation, but don’t think you are the same, everyone is at different levels and what works for them may not work for you.

Making changes to health and fitness is a big commitment, and eventually working on your health and fitness becomes a lifelong habit for your body.  Just as you shower and clean your teeth each day, exercise should also be a routine part of your day.

Be kind to yourself, it’s a commitment to your health and wellbeing that is worth the effort.

If you’d like some help to get started and some extra motivation, contact me to arrange a personal training session.