Ready, Set, Goal

Today is the day to finalize your goals for the challenge.  Whether you already have a regular routine, need to get back to your routine or need to establish a routine - setting your goals for the seven week challenge is important.  Make your goals realistic, attainable and measurable.

Next, take your measurements.  Want to lose weight; step on the scale and write down the number.  Your goal is to lose inches; use a measuriing tape to take and record your chest, waist, hips, upper arm, and thigh measurements.  Build strenght - determine the heaviest weight you can lift for 10 reps.  Flexibility - sit on the floor with legs straight in front of you, measure how far forward you can reach.

Our goals for the Fitness Challenge:

Alicia:  My fitness goals for this year are simple. I would like to exercise 3 times a week regularly. I prefer not going to the gym. I would rather play tennis (one goal is to find a consistent partner for this and somewhere convenient to play). I would also like to walk more and get some of my flexibility back. That means stretching regularly (every day would be optimal), and possibly trying more yoga. I come from a dance background, so I tend to prefer warm-up stretches over yoga. The hardest part for me is finding time to do these things. I'm not an early riser, so that makes it a little difficult. Ideally, I would like to have a work out buddy- I guess that means I need more friends!

Harriet: Wow! A new year, a new me! I love a project launch so I'm excited about my new goals. I'm challenging myself to try new things, new workouts, new trainers, and new eating strategies. Goal #1 Appreciate my body - It's the one friend that will always be with me no matter what else changes in my life. Goal #2 Try new workouts with new friends. Goal #3 Eliminate empty carbs. Alas, I dove overboard during the Christmas break and have indulged in bread and sweets galore. My lower abs are softer and plumper than they were a few weeks ago so I welcome this opportunity to firm up by jumping back into my elimination diet. Goal #4 Increase My Serenity - I will benefit greatly from a peaceful center that sustains my emotional balance no matter what else is going on around me.

Judy: This exercise challenge gives me the opportunity to establish a goal around an idea I've had for a while. I walk a fair amount--regularly while home and because I love to when I travel and my legs are strong. I do my upper body weight training when I have time and when at home. Traveling leaves me flabby in the triceps. And I don't ever really get any real cardio workout except the occasional mountain hike. My goals, therefore, are firm upper arms and more workouts that get my heart pounding.

Karla: I  recently read about a Swedish study (1400+ participants, 32 years) discovery that  people who are overweight (BMI over 26.5 in the study) are likely to have a higher probability of developing dementia. While the study results are not conclusive, the information is a huge motivator for me. My primary goal is to lose 5 pounds to lower my BMI by the end of the 7 week Fitness Challenge. My second goal is to improve my flexibility by spending a minimum of 20 minutes, each day on stretching exercises.  My third goal is to get back to a regular routine of cardio workouts 4-5 days per week.

Tamara: This exercise challenge is a great way to change out my exercise routine. I can't use a personal trainer on a regular basis because of my travels, but like to go once or twice a year to change things out. I tend to get into a rut and do the same things over and over again - cardio 5 or 6 days a week, weights a couple of times a week, a little yoga. So my goal is to meet with a personal trainer and change my routine. Also, to break 100 consistently in golf, but that is probably more of a summer goal!

Click here to sign up for the Fitness Challenge.