Commitment to Balance

Whether you’re looking to shed a few pounds, improve your overall health or sculpt your body into a work of art, setting fitness goals is one way to achieve real, tangible results. But for many women, the goal-setting process can be confusing or overwhelming, making it easier to just “stick with the current plan”—which most likely won’t take you where you want to be.

The first thing to do when establishing your fitness goals is to consider what you want, and why you want it. The desire to move forward—in fitness or any area of life—may be rooted in unhappiness. What’s driving this feeling for you? Are you self-conscious about your looks? Do you feel tired, weak or unwell? Digging deeper into the reasons behind your motivation to “get fit” can help you design a plan that will work for you.

The next step is to devise a plan that matches your motivation. If, for example, you’re looking to improve health through fitness, you’ll want a plan that involves not just exercise, but lifestyle and nutrition changes as well. If you’re going for an improvement in appearance, you’ll want to research weight-training techniques (or consult with a personal trainer).

For anyone, starting slowly is key to approaching a new fitness goal. I tell my clients, one yoga session (or workout) a week amounts to 52 days per year. While a single session per week doesn’t feel like much at the time, over the course of a year, you’ll have made a significant change to your life. Now think about the benefits when you add two days per week, and keep it up for several years in a row.

Fitness isn’t a fad—it’s a lifestyle. Have patience with yourself, but remember that a commitment to fitness will affect more than how you look. You’ll develop a healthier lifestyle that will impact your body, your mind and your spirit.