Spring Health and Fitness Goal Check-In
Spring is here! The days are getting warmer and the sun is shining brighter. Congratulations! You’ve made it through five months of another Minnesota winter. Now is a good time to check in with the resolutions you made in January. Are your 2024 health and fitness goals on track? Take some time to reflect and decide where you are at. What habits have you kept? How satisfied are you with your exercise routine and eating patterns? How strong and healthy do you feel? Wherever you are, know that you are not alone. We’re here to help! Below are a few things to consider as you are deciding what’s next with your goals. Jump ahead to the goal-track that fits you and read on!
All is good! My goals are on track.
It takes a lot to stick to a plan with so many distractions and priorities in life pushing and pulling us in different directions. You’ve done a great job keeping in shape, and more importantly, keeping your mind in tune. Be it walking, running, biking or swimming a longer distance, lifting more weight, eating healthier foods or making time to relax and meditate, you’re well on your way to a better you! Keep up the great work.
Whoops. My goal train has gone slightly off the rails.
Even idealized athletes, leaders, neighbors and friends aren’t perfect. Goal setting and goal achieving can be two entirely different things. Goals should be realistic, meaningful, concrete, measurable, challenging and motivating. It is not easy to set goals and it’s even harder to achieve them. That’s where re-evaluating and tweaking them becomes an art form.For example, if you’re just starting to run, don’t shoot for a completing a 100-miler by year’s end. Instead, sign up for a 5K happening in a couple of months and slowly work toward adding distance as the weeks go by. If an injury or something comes up, take the time to rest and recharge before hopping back to it. Also, be sure to have fun while you’re checking steps off along the way. Invite friends or family to join you! Having a fitness buddy is always helps with accountability.
Help! I fell off my goal plan and I can’t get up!
Portrait of young happy black man and a group of sporty people practicing yoga lesson standing in Plank pose, doing Push ups or press ups exercise, working out, indoor full length, studio
Don’t worry; we’ve got your back. There’s no better time to bring up one of the most cliché quotes of all time: “If at first you don’t succeed, then try, try again.” (Thomas H. Palmer). A few things could be at play here: the original goals weren’t realistic, measurable or motivating. Or, maybe life threw you an unavoidable curveball.In any case, take the time to evaluate where you want to be, physically and mentally. Decide on one or two goals that are realistic. Come up with an action plan with measurable steps. Write the entire process down and follow the plan as the days and weeks go by. Physically checking those off day after day will keep you in the right mindset. Be happy knowing that you are trying your best and have support along the way!
Keep Reflecting on Your Goals
Whatever your 2024 goals are, keep them close to your heart. Evaluate them. Ponder them. Dream them. And then, commit all the way! We are here to help you along the way, too. Check out our free group fitness classes for members, small group training classes, personal and team training sessions and nutritional counseling to keep you steered in the right direction. Want to be famous? Share your 2024 goal-setting journey and fitness adventure with us! Post your updates and tag us @YWCAMPLS on Facebook and Instagram & @YWCAMinneapolis on Twitter) and we’ll provide the support you need along the way.