Oftentimes we think we need a big athletic goal to pursue fitness. The great thing about goals is that they are very personal to you. But your goals do not have to be running a marathon or finishing an ironman triathlon. Your goal could be as simple as playing at the park with your grandkids or walking up and down a few flights of stairs without getting winded. For many people, these small goals lead to achieving bigger goals down the road!
But these can be a catalyst to many other positive benefits in someone’s life. Take me for example. My goal was to lose 15-20 lbs. How did I approach it? It all started with Nutrition. Not going on a diet, but fixing what I was missing. I was not eating nearly enough vegetables a day. There were many days in my life where I did not have a single vegetable unless you count potato chips.
Nutritional Goals
I know enough about nutrition to make me aware I was lacking vegetables. And I overconsumed the sweet and salty snacks. This led me to create a plan with my nutrition coach to include more vegetables daily. This became a checkoff item on my Fuel Plan. The Fuel Plan became a tool for me to reflect on my day and ensure I was eating the right amount of food. Not necessarily by measuring every item, as I did in the beginning, but knowing how much fuel my body needed that day. And how my body responded.
Each day I would reflect on what I ate that day. I would make notes about my energy levels, or how I felt later in the day or the next morning? I was also made aware to monitor my morning excrement. This chart and article will help explain more. But when you start to take care of yourself from the inside out, you start to feel more energized.
Exercise Goals
I started with simply wanting to lose 15-20 lbs. Of course, that meant I had to exercise more, right? Not really, I just had to get consistent. I was notorious for missing workouts and trying to make it up later. This never ended well. So I hired a coach to make sure I was held accountable for my training.
This trajectory led me to establish bigger goals. So I became interested in triathlon again, the offroad type. I have completed a couple of Xterra Triathlon’s in the past, but never performed my best on the bike or run because my swimming was horrible. So I hired a swim coach and I have been making weekly improvements. Now I want to try to qualify for the Xterra World Championships. I hope to do this in the next couple of years, but I know it is a long road ahead of me.
One small goal of wanting to lose a few pounds was a catalyst to creating my BHAG! What is your BHAG? (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). What motivates you to move? Why do you do what you do? When you find your’re why you will find your motivation.
Do you need help finding your why? We work with clients in person and virtually. You can sit down with one of our coaches for a cup of coffee or over the phone. We can help you find your motivation. Let us help you create a schedule and lifestyle you want to live.