Getting Lean in 2013: Part 1 ~ Goal Setting = Setting Yourself Up for Success

Today we know a lot more about older adults and their needs to exercise. Regardless of your health and physical abilities, older adults can gain a lot by staying physically active. Even if you have difficulty standing or walking you can still exercise and benefit from it. In fact, you have more to lose by not doing anything at all. To help you get started, you may find that setting short-term goals will help you make physical activity a regular part of your daily life.
Setting Your Goals
Many find that having a firm goal in mind motivates them to move ahead on a project. Goals are most useful when they are specific, realistic and important to you. Consider both short and long term goals. Your success depends on setting goals that really matter to you. Write down your goals, put them where you can see them, and review them regularly. After you write down your short-term goals, go on and identify long-term goals. Focus on where you want to be in 6 months, a year, or 2 years from now.
As you’ve probably noticed, the key word is you. The benefits you gain from physical activity will depend on your starting point and how much effort you put into it. You’ll need to match your physical activity to your own needs and abilities. For example, some people can swim a mile without thinking about it. For others, a slow walk to the corner and back is a big achievement. A little advance planning in terms of your exercise goals and expectations can go a long way in keeping our on track. Goal-setting is one of the best ways to stay motivated to exercise. Consistency is the key. Have a clear purpose in mind, get set and go!