Keeping Your Eye on the Goal

When you have set a goal it is important to keep your eye on the prize and not let everyday stressors get in your way.

When you have set a goal for yourself, any goal, it is important to keep your eye on the prize and not let everyday stressors get in your way. My goal happens to involve fitness. I intend to win this battle with my weight, but it is easy for me to make excuses and let things slide.

The following are some ideas that I have found to keep me on track so I can reach my fitness goals.

If you are like me, there are many things that can happen in your day that may change your schedule. A friend needs help, the house needs cleaning, dinner needs to be made, etc. Fitness needs to be scheduled in and made a priority in your week. If the classes are at a set time, plan to be there, and if you cannot, then have a backup plan so you can still get your workout done.

Another benefit to planning your workout time on a calendar would be for you to see how much time you have spent working toward your goal. As my doctor said, 10 minutes of exercise 3 times a day is as good as 30 minutes at once, but you still need to make time to get it done.

If bribery works for you, try rewarding yourself for completing all your scheduled workouts. The reward could be flowers, a new item of clothing, or really anything other than food. To make workouts even more enjoyable and a treat, see if you can find some friends to take the classes with you (or make new friends in your class) and then going to class would include visiting your friends!

Make sure your family and friends are aware of your scheduled workout times and then you will be less likely to be interrupted or tempted to make excuses. If your friends have scheduled a get together, you can tell them when you are available, or if you really want to go, schedule a new time to get to the gym. You will need to learn and recognize your particular “danger zones” and figure out how to negotiate around them.

There will be days that you simply don’t feel like exercising, but you must keep that goal firmly in mind and know that the ends will justify the means. If you sometimes struggle to get to your class, get a friend to call you to be sure you are not still sitting on the sofa. Also, make sure that your gym bag is always ready and packed and that your exercise gear is washed as soon as you get home. This way, dirty laundry does not become yet another excuse to avoid going.

A picture of yourself at your goal weight, or an outfit that you really want to fit into, may also help to motivate you and keep you on track. No matter how you do it, keep your eye on the goal and don’t give up!