It happens to the best of us: a few weeks (or sometimes even days) into our new fitness regime our motivation starts to falter. Many of us succumb to the little voice inside our head that tells us we’re too tired or too busy to exercise. However, it really goes without saying that in order to achieve our long-term health and fitness goals we need to plan, plan, plan in the short-term. That’s where a fitness calendar, like the one available right here on the Shape Mate website, can help you achieve your exercise goals.
Sign up now.
Benefits of a fitness calendar
A fitness calendar is the perfect tool to help you to stick to your fitness regime; planning and recording makes you accountable for your actions. The best way to plan your sessions is to treat exercise exactly like any other appointment. Sit down at the end of each month and schedule in your exercise sessions for the following month by blocking out an exact time for exercise on various days throughout the month. On top of blocking out the time, record the type, intensity and duration of each exercise session. Once your monthly planner is completed, print it out and keep it somewhere clearly visible. Try sticking it to your fridge, pinning it to your noticeboard or putting it up next to the bathroom mirror. It’s bound to keep you motivated there.
Sign up now.
Goal Setting
To accompany your fitness calendar, it’s important that you also set clear exercise goals. Setting well-defined goals is a great way to stay focused. For the best results, make your goals SMART: that’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based. Your goals should not be too easy, but challenging enough to keep you interested.
Sign up now.
Set two lots of goals: both long- and short-term. Your long-term goal should focus on the next 6-12 months in which you may aim to complete a 10km run or even a marathon. Short-term goals on the other hand, should be set each month and should focus on frequency, intensity and duration of training sessions. Short-term goals are vital for keeping you on track – they’re the small steps that give you the big impact. They help you to achieve your long-term fitness goal. Keep your goals next to your fitness planner, so you know exactly what you are working towards.
Home