Midyear = Time to Reassess New Year’s Fitness Goals
Ahhhh yes! When the clock struck midnight into a fresh new year, and we looked at 2020 with child-like optimism and anticipation, many of us thought, “This is the year I will lose 20 pounds!” or maybe “This is the year I run my first marathon!” Well, 2020 may have thrown us a handful of curveballs, but that doesn’t mean fitness goals have to go out the window. As a rule of thumb each year, I like to do a quick self-check midyear to make sure I am staying on path with my original fitness goals. If not, there’s no need to stress—or even worse—totally give up! Just readjust and get right back on track.
Review and Adjust
Let’s start with the positives. Start by jotting down a quick list of your fitness successes thus far. Maybe you weren’t able to run a big race because it was canceled, but you have gotten in the habit of jogging more as part of your training. Keep in mind that making a list of micro-achievements will set you on the path to achieving larger goals down the road.
Be Specific
When planning your goals for the remainder of the year, get specific! The more specific you are, the more likely you are to follow through. If you had originally hoped to “lose lots of weight” or “get in better shape,” think of ways to narrow this down. What does “better shape” look like? For you specifically, does that mean targeting problem areas and toning? Or are you trying to lose weight and change your diet to bring your cholesterol into a healthy range? Whatever the dream scenario, it can be achieved with specifics and planning.
Be Realistic
To make sure you’ll actually stick to your goals, you need to be realistic. Are your goals actually attainable in the time frame you have set? Do you have the resources you need to achieve them? Of course you do! Professional trainers like Wilmington’s Matt Johnson are more than happy to help you assess these goals and encourage you to stay on course. At the end of the day, goals are often easier to achieve with coaching and encouragement. 2020 isn’t over yet, so get out there and make the most of it!
