80. Set a Goal, Then Go for It
Goals. They’re among the most important aspects of fitness. After all, how can you know when you’ve arrived if you don’t know where you’re going? To make fitness goals more concrete, write them down. To formulate your goals, ask yourself the following questions.
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•How would I honestly rate my current fitness level? Poor? Fair? Good, but could be better? Am I starting at zero or do I want to improve from one level to the next?
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•Do I want to increase strength? Endurance? Flexibility? Or all three?
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•Why do I want to become more fit? To look better? Feel more energetic? Boost my spirits? Prevent health problems?
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•What will it take to reach this goal? Is it reachable for me?
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•Will the activities I plan to pursue help me achieve my goal?
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•What obstacles will I have to overcome, and how will I overcome them? (If exercise interferes with mealtime, for example, schedule dinner for later. Or if you tend to forget your workout clothes, keep a few sets in your car.)
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•How can I measure my progress? By inches lost? Change in number of colds I get in a year? Need for less sleep? Lower cholesterol levels?
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•How will I reward myself along the way? Buy a new sweater? Call or visit an old friend?
