The importance of goals

Hello All,

Its hard to believe we are in heading into the third week of April.  The new training schedule has me running, swimming and in the gym three times a week.  Cycling and yoga twice a week.  I should clarify my yoga is a class called Flow which a combination of  tai chi, Pilates, yoga and balance. 

Saturday starts with a two hour spin class followed by Flow.  As I have a hour between the two I spend the time on another weight session.  At the end of class today my Flow instructor asked how the training was going and I mentioned about my upcoming race in May.  She asked how did I manage to find the time to train.  I explained how I have a coach and he puts together my schedule for the month.  I could not do it without that schedule.  The one of the fridge gets checked of each day and the one in the office is for reference only.  In Coaches blog he mentions the importance of having a plan.  Having the training schedule is part of the big plan to make the goal.  

When I started this fitness journey my goal was to loose 30 pounds and get in shape.  Then I decided to participate in an organized 5k charity run, then a few 10K runs, then the bike rally, then a few smaller distance triathlons and now larger distance triathlons.  A goal gives me something to work towards and to become stronger for.  Often they are small goals leading up to one huge one.  Yesterday I spotted a GrandFondo, cycle race, in Ottawa which has a 220K distance option.  Not this year but it might just go into the 2013 schedule.  Just thinking about it made me work even harder in spin this morning. 

I have a school chum who has started her fitness goal with 10K run in Ottawa.  The race is just around the corner and I know she will compete it.  There is no feeling like crossing the finish line.  That feeling is worth all the hours of training and the pain. 

Why not think about setting a goal for yourself?   It could be charity walk like the one coming up for Gate 3:16 Outreach Center in Oshawa.  If you choose a walk that is just a bit longer than you are accustomed to walking then to complete it you will need to get out there and do a bit of training.  The best part is you will meet new people and help people at the same time. 

For me I have the fitness goal sorted but need to work on my nutrition goals.  I love food and although I have been able to keep 20 of those 30 pounds off I would like to shed those 10 pounds again.  Learning to fuel the body right for all this exercise is a challenge. If I don't fuel it right then I get ravenous and can pack back a huge amount of food in one sitting.  This week my goal is to eat right and keep my hands out of hubby's snack cupboard. 

What are your short and long term goals?  As coach says if you create a plan and act on the plan then an amazing thing will happen you'll make that goal. 

Gate 3:16 Outreach Centre's walk-a-thon is May 12.  To learn more or to register call 905-432-5315 x22.

Have a great week,
Liz