For the coming new year, I have set the goal of getting fit, getting healthy, and learning how to add the proper foods to my diet, in order to attain my goals. In the past, I have set the goal to lose weight, but mid way through, have either given up, or went back to old habits. This year, I have set the goal of getting healthy, getting fit, and having an overall healthier relationship with food, rather than just setting the goal for weight loss, which has failed in the past. I have set out five goals, and how I plan on following through with them.
My first goal is to exercise smart, rather than exercise longer. I workout on a regular basis, but in the past have spent hours at the gym. Recently, I have been reading up on interval training, proper lifting methods, and the best ways to incorporate these things in to a workout, rather than doing hours of cardio, at a steady pace. I plan on incorporating lifting in to my regime three times a week, along with at least 45 minutes of cardio, but working on intervals, rather than at a steady pace. For cardio, I plan on doing the stair climber, running, jumping rope, and activities which will get my heart rate up, rather than just get me sweating.
The next goal is to add more protein in to my diet, and cut out higher carb foods. I have learned that when eating higher protein levels, and cutting the daily intake of carbs to a minimal amount, is something that will help in slimming the body, and getting healthier. I plan on incorporating protein shakes, lean meat, and for carbs that I will take in, plan on cutting out all white (bread, rice, etc), and change this to whole wheat or wheat options.
My third goal for the goal I have set is to set a schedule. In the past I have done things when I got around to them. So, if time ran out during the day, I just wouldn’t go in for a workout. So, this coming year, I plan on making a schedule, based around school and other daily engagements I have, in order to fit my workout in. I will likely plan to do it in the morning, as I have read it is best to workout right when you get up, after having a light meal (breakfast), in order to give me the fuel. So, making a schedule, and sticking to it will not only ensure I get to the gym everyday, but will help organize the rest of my day as well.
The fourth goal I have incorporated is to treat myself for small accomplishments. In the past, I have set a goal to lose 20 or 30 pounds, and if I did not reach the goal, was likely to quit. So, I plan on setting smaller bench marks, including losing 5 pounds, dropping a dress size, feeling healthier and fit, and several other small goals. This will allow me to ultimately reach my goals, and give myself the encouragement I need to keep going along the way.
The final goal I have set, which has been my biggest downfall in the past, is to allow myself to make a mistake. With past attempts to get fit, whenever I would “cheat,” or go off my diet a bit, I would get down on myself, and keep going in the wrong direction. I have set the goal to allow myself the room to mess up every now and then, and to not beat up on myself when I do.
I felt these goals, rather than going towards reaching a goal weight, or losing a certain amount of weight, are more realistic. Not only does it give me the room to change my ultimate goal, but it also allows me to track the progress along the way.