February is Here. How are You Doing with Your New Year's Resolutions?

As 2009 came to an end, I encouraged my Spinning students to come up with some fitness goals for 2010. Every year millions of people make a new year resolution to lose weight. By February, most people have lost sight of that goal. Gyms are crowded in January, but back to normal in February.

Fitness goals do not need to overly ambitious. It is not reasonable for the average person to sign up for an ultra-marathon or triathlon or swim across the Atlantic. Small attainable goals help keep us motivated and moving towards our next level of fitness.

As a Spinning and yoga instructor, here are some goals I made for 2010:

1. Incorporate some weight bearing exercises at least twice a week. (Lift weights, take pump classes, practice Ashtanga yoga, etc.)
2. Be a student. Take group exercise classes.
3. Run the Big-D half-marathon in April. (My sister, Lisa, talked me into this one.)

So far, I am on the right track. I joined The Downtown Clubs and take classes during lunch. I am lifting weights and taking pump/sculpting classes, but need to be more consistent. I NEED to start running.

How are you doing? Are your goals attainable? What are the steps you need to take to achieve each goal? Is the timeline you set to achieve your goals realistic?


Daily Workout Goals
Think about setting a small goal for every work out. Setting an intention for a workout sets the tone for your workout. It keeps you motivated. Most importantly, you will work harder.

Here are some examples of daily cardio workout goals:
*Choose a song and add a 10-sec, 20-sec, or 30-sec pushes throughout the song.
*Choose a song. For up to two minutes, work at 90% of your maximum perceived exertion. Recover.
*Add a 20-sec or 30-sec sprint to the end of every song.
*Shorten the length of your workout by 5-10 minutes, but work at a harder intensity to make up for it.
*Add 5-10 minutes to your workout.
*Just finish. (If it took every thing you have just to show up, it is realistic to set a goal of just completing the workout.)

As February begins, take time to look back on your 2010 goals and adjust them as necessary.

Keep motivated. Keep focused.
Julie