Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Fitness Goals


Over the years, I've tried several exercise regimens. It is easy to get bored and lose motivation, or fall out of the habit when seasons and life are changing. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Switch up your workouts every once in a while.

One of the worst pits I've dug myself is setting unrealistic goals like "I will exercise 2 hours a day until I lose these last 20 lbs. of baby weight." or "I really over did it on dessert last night, I'm only eating salads for a whole week." Of course I can't do those for even a day, and nothing says "binge eat" like a failed fitness goal.

Thinking back on the times I have felt most fit, I have come up with some healthier fitness goals.
Constantly re-evaluate and give yourself more time if needed. Don't be afraid to stop and change your goal if it wasn't working for you. Of course, you should always consult a doctor if you have worries about your health or need help establishing fitness goals.

- Aim for a healthy % body fat rather than a specific weight* or size. Body fat scales are relatively inexpensive these days (about $30 at Target).

- Don't just obsess about your weight. If you aim to increase your flexibility, strength, and/or balance, it is much more likely to help you feel better about your body!

Finding time for yourself when your kids are small is no easy feat! and exercising when you can hardly get a minute alone can seem like quite a chore! Walking with the stroller is the classic standby (and I HIGHLY recommend it! especially if you can get other mommy friends to join you! We had 6 mommies walking together this morning!). We especially like to walk to story time or to feed the ducks.

How do you squeeze exercise into your daily routine?

*if you are unable to lose weight by increasing your exercise, you may be overcompensating for your burned calories by over-eating.

1 comment:

Corrine said...

i have been walking a ton and love it. though seems that the lonely nights are filled with munching,,,need to find a night exercise routine.