Success: Regular and continued enjoyment and participation
The program should include the following items:
- Fun
- Goals (Targets)
- Plan , Program , Roadmap
- Guidance or Coaching
It is much easier to continue an exercise program that you enjoy . An activity or variety of activities that are fun will draw us in and make us want to participate. When the fun ends the excuses grow.
- Walking- walk a dog, or go out on a trail
- Running- leave the road for the beach or a trail or a different neighborhood
- Swimming- leave the pool for the lake
Variety – run , walk, bike, Run, hike, swim……Tennis, frisbee… have FUN !!
A goal gives us something to look to, it gives us a reason for our efforts. Most goal-setting authors suggest having a variety of goals addressing all areas of life( health, career, finances….) . This is also a good idea in fitness planning. Goals can be part of a series of steps (i.e. run 5k, then 10k then ½ marathon…), or a set of milestones (walk to lose 20 lbs…start running and do??? race then a triathlon then ….), or just a variety of active efforts(lose weight, run some races, hike the Appalachian Trail, tour Rome on foot).
Have a collection of goals with some variety in timing and effort level so the successful completion of a goal is not THE END.
Plansgives us a roadmap and if properly assembled help us progress safely and efficiently . A program guides daily/weekly activity, shows our progress to the current goal(s) and keeps us motivated It also helps us decide what to do from day to day.
Proper guidance will support our success. It can help increase our enjoyment.
Guidance can be –speaking to an expert at a running or appropriate store, a personal trainer, or good book/websites. Or a combination Good guidance can help with questions, suggestions, troubles or pains.
All of this is well and good but YOU still just have to get up and GET MOVING.
