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It's hard to believe that
2003 is just around the corner! With the coming of the New Year,
also comes New Year's resolutions, and now is the time that most
people start to reflect on what they hope to accomplish in 2003.
It is also a time to reflect back on what you've accomplished
this year in 2002-your achievements in the areas of family life,
career, financial endeavors, home, and hopefully your health,
amongst others.
While I am a strong believer in living a balanced life, I know
it is often easier said than done. While each person has his or
her own priorities for their lives, I always urge people to consider
what effect their health plays on each of the other aspects of
their lives. For an example, let's say you are motivated by financial
aspirations, and so you made a million dollars this year. As nice
as that sounds, if your health is failing and you are confined
to a hospital by the time your 50, what does it really matter
what amount of money you made if you're not able to enjoy it?
Other people out there may choose goals that bend more towards
family. If that's the case, isn't it important to take good care
of yourself for your family's sake if not for yours? If you have
ever lost a loved one, you may have caught yourself thinking,
"I would give anything to have them back." That is tribute
to the importance that you place on that loved one, and that is
reason enough to take the proper steps towards living a long and
healthy life while you still can.
Let's start at square one. Are you satisfied with your health
at this juncture in your life? If you are, fantastic! I think
that's great! But more times than not, that is not the case. If
you would like to increase your level of fitness, start by being
as specific and realistic as possible, and decide exactly what
it is you want to change about yourself in the coming year.
From that point, map out
the route that will take you where you want to go. Now, when I
say to be realistic, I mean just that. If you're not currently
exercising, don't set yourself up for failure by telling yourself
that you will start out running five days a week. Use progression
and safety in whatever you do. If your goal is to run five days
a week and you're not exercising at all right now, then start
out walking three days a week for the first few weeks until you
get comfortable at that level. From there, incorporate jogging
for a block for every three blocks you walk. Then maybe increase
that to two blocks, and so on and so forth.
After you have established
what it is you want to change and how you're going to go about
it, set some short-term goals for yourself. Maybe your one-month
goal will be to walk three miles without stopping. Each person
will be different, but try to use good judgment and listen to
your body for signs of overexertion or pain. Pain is different
from fatigue. Pain is never good and shouldn't be "worked
through", as they used to teach in the old school. Fatigue,
on the other hand, is something that can be overcome. So listen
to your body and pay attention to what it tells you.
Next, establish a six-month
goal. Maybe you want to be able to jog for three miles without
stopping. That is realistic provided you maintain your exercise
regime on a regular basis. You first set your sights on one mile,
then a mile and a quarter, next a mile and half, and so on and
so forth. Maybe your one-year goal is to run five miles without
stopping, three or four days a week. This, too, is a good goal-it's
tangible, realistic, progressive, and you've set up intermittent
goals to monitor your progress along the way using the format
described earlier. This is just one example of a running goal,
but this approach can be applied to any goal out there that is
worthy of accomplishing. So don't be afraid to set your sights
high and just go for it! You can accomplish anything you set your
mind to.
Here is a summary of the
key points discussed above:
* Evaluate your current state of health
* Map your route
* Use progression
* Incorporate safety
* Establish short, medium, and long-term goals
* Last but not least, enjoy your achievements!
Have a wonderful holiday season, and best wishes for a happier
and healthier you!
Melissa Allen is a certified
personal trainer, Blackbelt & fitness consultant, as well
as the owner of Optimum Condition— personal fitness training
and kickboxing instruction. She is a regular columnist with various
newspapers and welcomes input from her readers. Please contact
her with any questions or comments that you may have by calling
(619) 252-4993, email her at Opticondit@aol.com, or visit her
website at www.optimumcondition.com. |
