Set, Reach, Surpass

I was seventeen years-old and along with half of the girls in my high school, had a hopeless crush on Mr. Popular. After discovering he spent his afternoons at the 4th Avenue Gym, I convinced my parents I had a newly blossomed interest in exercise, so they allowed me to become a member. Mr. Popular took one look at my white unitard, periwinkle polka dotted boxer shorts, high top Reeboks with the Velcro straps, and my bangs ratted up about four inches off the top of my head and gushed, “Wow, you look gooooood.” I was hooked. Yep, that was my purpose for driving the El Camino to the 4th Avenue Gym every day – to get a glimpse of Mr. Popular. If I stepped on a treadmill or lifted a weight, I don’t remember it.

Well, those days are long past, hallelujah. Not only would I never be caught dead in a white unitard (I think they’ve been outlawed), but my fitness goals have progressed dramatically.

From Personal Training pics

In fitness, it is crucial to make goals. So many people walk into a gym with no agenda, nothing keeping them there except the fact that they know they should be. But when it comes to having a plan, they don’t know where to start because there is no goal in mind. So, they wander aimlessly from machine to machine and it is practically possible to see the question marks bouncing around in their brain.

If you are just starting to exercise or if you've been exercising since you were on the "Tigershark" soccer team at the age of seven, it is helpful to ask yourself two questions:

1. What is my fitness goal?
2. What am I willing to sacrifice in order to achieve that goal?

Your fitness goals can be anything. We are coming at health from different angles and different needs; therefore no goal is better than another.

Just a few ideas for fitness goals:

- sleep better
- lose weight
- more muscle tone
- more energy
- have a healthy, fit pregnancy
- lose the baby weight
- have fitness be a constant in your life
- do a triathlon
- run a 5K, 10K, ½ marathon, or a whole marathon
- be on a swim team
- be healthy enough to get off certain medications (high blood pressure, depression, etc.)

Got your goal? Congrats! :) Once the goals are set, then what are you going to SACRIFICE in order to achieve those goals? Yep, that’s right, something’s gotta give. Too many times there are more excuses than sacrifices, and in that case – pull up a comfy chair where you are right now because you won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. You must pave the way by taking specific steps in order to achieve your fitness goals.

What kind of sacrifices? Here are a few ideas:

- give up soda
- do cardio six days a week for at least 30 minutes
- lift weights three times a week
- hire a personal trainer
- consult a nutritionist
- wake up an hour earlier
- no desserts until Sunday
- go to bed earlier
- turn the TV off earlier
- go on a walk after dinner instead of sitting at the computer
- drink a gallon of water a day
- eat less food
- eat 7-10 servings of vegetables and fruits a day
- do the Richard Simmon's "Sweatin' to the Oldies" three times a week

Whatever! I’m definitely not saying do all these things right now, but they are simply a spring board to help you reach your desired fitness goals.

Trainer Momma Note: Be sure these are HEALTHY goals, not crazy wacko “I’m going to climb to the top of Mt. Everest with no oxygen tank next month” goals. If your goals are realistic and attainable, then you actually see success.

By the way, don’t be afraid to change your fitness goals! Once you’ve got one thing checked off your list, it’s time to move onwards and upwards.

Set your goals.
Reach your goals.
Surpass your goals.