Break It Down

January is the time of year when so many people, myself included, set out some fitness and weight loss goals. And, it can seem somewhat daunting. Coming off of the holidays, most of us, myself included, put on a few unwanted pounds or lost sight of some of our fitness goals. And it can seem like there is a long road ahead of you. But, if you break down your goals into smaller, more easily achieved goals, it can be done! It can be done anyway, but this makes it seem so much easier and more attainable.

For instance, I am getting married in just under 7 months. Of course I want to be in the best shape ever. To be honest, I want to be the same size I was when I was 22. That's going to be difficult, because I am 30 now, time takes its toll, my job is more demanding, my metablism has probably slowed down, and I have accumulated s few bad habits over the years. But, I can do it, or get close to it, I think. I want to lose 30 pounds. Wow, that sounds like a big number. I am in ok shape, I work out with my fantastic Personal Fitness Trainer 3 times a week, I run or walk 5-6 times a week, and I take a yoga or pilates class 2-3 times a week. With all that, you'd think I would be in amazing shape, huh? Well, I also have a life. I like to go out for nice dinners. I like drinking wine. I like going to champagne brunch on sunday. So, those things work against the working out that I do, hence my problem. But, I still want to take off 30 pounds. I might be a skeleton with 30 pounds less, but who knows, I might look great too. I'm in better shape than I was after having surgery, but I can be better.

So, instead of looking at that big 30, I am breaking it down into very achievable goals. I have set a goal date of June 1st, which gives me 5 months, including last week. In 5 months, there are approximately 20 weeks. If I can take off 1.5 pounds a week, I will be at 30, 2 months before my wedding, just in time for bridal showers, bachelorette parties, etc. And 1.5 pounds is SO do-able. I can probably take off 2 pounds a week, which they say is the most you should take off weekly and be safe about it, and expect to keep it off. So, it might not even take as long as I think. And, if I have a bad week I have some cushion room.

I was talking to some Personal Fitness Trainers about this, and his first comment was that I was really setting myself up for success. Thinking about it in smaller terms made me realize that I can easily do this. I mean, to say "I want to lose 30 pounds" seems like a huge endeavor. But when I say "I want to lose 1.5 pounds a week" sounds pretty easy. I am sure I can do 1.5 a week, even though I was not sure I could do 30. It's the same amount of weight, just looked at differently.

Whatever your goal is, set about it in a way that sets you up for success as well. If you want to run a marathon, break it down into running a 5k this month, an 8k next month, and a 10k the following. Work up to a half marathon, do a few of those, and before you know it you will be crossing the finish line at your first marathon.

If you want to get stronger and tone your muscles, don't run right to the bench press and try to lift 500 pounds. Grab a set of 15's and do presses, work up t0 20's…you see where I am going with this. There is no need to make things so hard for yourself. Find the easiest and best way to achieve your goals and do that…life's too hard as it is, you can make it easier.

Be eXcellent!

Ms. X - a www.socalworkout.com contributor