5 Ways I Plan on Keeping My Fitness Goals in 2013

5 Ways to Keep Fitness Goals in 2013

{Let’s hope in December I’m nodding my head reading through these, feeling healthier, stronger, and more confident than my 2012 self. }

I haven’t been through several years of consistently working out like my mentor and inspiration, who happens to be my husband.  However, I’ve been at the gym a little longer than the New Year’s folks who are packing the gyms with eager enthusiasm.

Here is how developing a healthier lifestyle is working for me personally. These are attainable goals that I hope influence our family as a whole to be healthier in 2013.

1. View your fitness goals as a lifestyle change, not just by numbers.

I’m not looking to lose 10 pounds this month, to run a marathon, or work out 2 hours a day 7 days a week.   Being healthier is something I want to maintain for life, not just to meet a goal. I want to be able to run with my kids, even in my forties or later. I want to be the 60 year old lady sweating on the treadmill, and feeling great.  I’ve watched this motivate Brad, and it’s been a huge influence on me as well.  Before his weight loss he struggled to play with the boys on the floor, and got winded so easily.  It’s absolutely amazing how big of a difference it has made in his parenting style!

2. Be realistic. Start small.

I cannot tell you how much lowering my expectations to be achievable has helped me in my own fitness success thus far.  I had to start SMALL.  I mean really small.  I used to get so discouraged by people that could jump on the treadmill without any training and run 2 miles.  My body has been through a lot in the past few years, and this was in no way achievable for me.  I started by running in minute increments, and I’m just now working my way up to running for 20 minutes without stopping to walk. {Told you I was a weenie.} Do what you can and push yourself further each time. “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” – Jon Acuff

3. Don’t go at it alone.

Find a buddy, an online group, a personal trainer, or some sort of accountability system, so that you can’t give up without a fight.  Get your family involved if possible. My husband is my greatest ally.  His mentor is our neighbor Scot.

Our boys LOVE “working out” right now, and I think it’s because we’ve made it a priority. You have a huge influence on the physical well being of your family!  {I’m also part of a Facebook accountability group called BURN that I’d be happy to invite you in if you are interested! Just hit me up in the comment section.}

4. Find an App that helps encourage your goals.

Perhaps its MyFitnessPal that helps you track what you are eating, or the Nike+ app that tracks your time and distance via GPS, or Fleetly if you are the competitive type. I use C25K for my running days. {Here’s some of the fitness apps available. } And a good Pandora station can make your workout!

5. Stop with the lousy excuses.

No more, “but I don’t have the equipment”, or “I’m too old for that”, or my personal favorite “I don’t FEEL like working out today”. There will be things that hold you back.  You get sick, you miss a day at the gym, you gave in to the office cookie plate… don’t let these things be come your quitting day.  Even when you don’t feel like working out, just try it – even if you have to quit midway.  You might be pleasantly surprised that you feel BETTER after working out.

“Start Where You Are. Do What You Can. Use What You Have.” – Arthur Ashe

Start Where You Are Quote Arthur Ashe

What fitness goals do you have for 2013?  How are you committing to keeping them?