Setting Yourself Up for SUCCESS!!!!!!

I am confident that because I can make a workout routine work in my busy life, that YOU can do so, also! There are many components to being successful in your journey and accomplishing your goals, but if you can start with a strong foundation, you can do it!

If you are still trying to figure out what kind of workout to do and live in a changing climate, there's good news here! The weather is nice enough to walk. Walking doesn't require any extra equipment or videos. Most of you have a decent pair of shoes to start hitting the streets! Set a small goal for yourself and put it somewhere where it can be seen. For example, if your goal is to be more active, then set four days a week to make it a point to get out and walk. Four days a week isn't too much. You will still have three days a week to not do anything. Mark the walking days on a calendar where you can see it. Set the time. Make walking like you are going to meet someone for dinner. In other words, make plans to walk and keep the commitment like you would anything else. Set yourself up for success, choose a time that works for YOU to get your activity in. Make it a priority.

Follow through with your goals. I've said before that to START SMALL means to break it down into manageable bits. Start with four times a week for four weeks. If, after four weeks, you aren't feeling the love of walking or being more active, then after you have completed week four, you can push on to something different! You aren't tied down to one type of exercise, you have the freedom to choose what you want to do.

Maybe you want to join a gym because it helps you to get away from the house? There are many gym options available these days. You now have the option to go 24 hours a day. What a novel idea!! Or, check out your local community center and see if they have a weight/cardio room. These can be great for just starting out because some of these centers don't require a monthly membership and you can pay by the visit. Check out your local parks and recreation programs. They can offer different classes to try at a very reasonable cost. I got a lot of exposure to different types of workouts by signing up for different classes. If I wasn't fond of a particular class, it was usually only four weeks per session, so I knew it wasn't going to be forever. Taking one class that meets once a week for an hour can take care of one of the four activities in your goal. Find your niche! Find what you like to do and do it!!!!

After you have reached your goal, set a new one. Make it manageable. Example: if your goal is to lose weight, set a long-term goal to lose 40 pounds, but break it down to lose 8 pounds per month. Keep revisiting the goals. Make sure your goals are within your means, but also be sure to push yourself a little as well. Before you know it, you will be checking your goals off you list!!!

Tell yourself: I CAN do this! I CAN succeed! I CAN reach my goals!! I know you can do it all!!!!

Signing off for now, to all of you near and far and to those of you getting busy on your goals, until next time...