With the New Year around the corner we might start to think about New Year’s resolutions. According to a recent ComRes poll, the top three New Year’s resolution include:
1. Exercise more (38 per cent)
2. Lose weight (33 per cent)
3. Eat more healthily (32 per cent)
Set a Goal
Experts recommend that the best way to achieve your goal is by setting specific targets for yourself which dramatically increases your chances of actually reaching them. For example, let’s say you want to lose 2 stone for a friend’s wedding in 8 months’ time. This is a realistic goal in which you can keep track of your progress; which in turn will help keep you motivated. So it’s a win-win.
Here Comes the Bride
This is exactly what Chrissy did when her boyfriend of 2 years proposed to her. She was determined to lose weight for her wedding day and her commitment was so strong that she bought a dress two sizes too small. Yes, two sizes too small!
Her wedding was booked for 2 years’ time and she was determined to drop those two sizes. She started by using the Couch to 5K app. She ran on the treadmill in the gym and then started running in her local Park Run (5K).
She also started tracking her food and water intake by using the myfitness pal app. This transformed how she was fuelling her body. After about 4 months of training she was confident enough to enter a Race for Life 10k race. Finishing her first race was amazing! Chrissy said: ‘The achievement when you have completed a race at your maximum effort is incredible, nothing comes close to the pride that you have in yourself when you reach that finish line.’
Her next goal was to run the Barnes Green half marathon and she trained for 6 months. She continued to cross-train in the gym and focused on her strength. Finishing the Barnes Green half Marathon was a dream come true for her.
Then the ultimate goal: The Brighton Marathon. She trained hard and even after a brief injury she persevered once she got better. In April 2018 she ran her first Marathon and loved it! This was a 2 year plan that has continued for 5 years and she has no plans to slow down. She continues to track her food and water intake and cross train in the gym.
What about the wedding dress you ask? She ended up having to take it in as it was too big!
So next time you feel overwhelmed by your BIG goal – remember to break it up into smaller goals. As someone once said ‘There is no one giant step that does it – it’s a lot of little steps.’
We Can Help
If the thought of creating a fitness plan for yourself feels overwhelming why not book a review session with one of our friendly fitness instructors so they can help you customise a plan just for you. We are here to help you take your first step to reaching your goals!
