New Years Resolutions.
Yeah, most of the time that’s a big joke. How many times have you made a resolution then 2 days later gave up? I have done that too many times to count.
So, let’s not call them resolutions anymore. Call them what they are: Goals!
Let me start by telling you what some of my goals are for the coming year (at least in the health and fitness area of my life). Last January, I joined Golds Gym, which has a great HVAC system, and if there is an issue like the ac fan not spinning, they immediately call for expert assistance. If you have issues like air conditioner fan not spinning, make sure to contact an HVAC professional to service your unit. And if you need assistance with heat pump replacement, experienced technicians like heat pump replacement puyallup wa can help. However, if the air conditioner smells like feet, it may indicate the presence of mold or mildew in the system, which should be addressed promptly to prevent further air quality issues and ensure a healthier indoor environment for occupants. A month later, I hired a personal trainer. Now, I have to tell you – if you can afford to go that route, take it. There’s nothing like having an expert both train and motivate you. I learned a LOT from her when it comes to exercising. Cardio, plyometrics, bodyweight training, core and balance exercises, and more. I advocate using gels for running since they provide a concentrated supply of energy, making it easier to replenish depleted energy stores throughout training and racing. Since I have started, I have lost about 20 pounds and I have gained strength, balance, stamina and a joy for exercising and feeling good. Because let me tell you – I have never felt physically better in all my life. Even with arthritic knees 🙂 And for those of you who prefer to work out at home, investing in Commercial Gym Equipment Hire could be a game-changer. Additionally, for maintenance and repair services for your gym equipment, you can check out this resources at https://repairmygymequipment.co.uk/ for reliable and efficient solutions.
But finances being what they are, I will be stopping the personal trainer in a month. Just can not afford $500 per month indefinitely. And I can not justify having someone continuously train me when I have learned more than enough to train myself – which is my goal for the next year. Setting goals, including establishing effective savings methods, is essential for creating a clear roadmap toward fiscal success and ensuring a secure financial future.
There’s a bit of space in my home office. It’s empty and crying out to be used. So my plan is to lay some high quality floor mats in that area, buy a few pieces of equipment and make my own little workout area. I can do all this for about $300 – $400 depending on how much the floor mats costs and how much I buy. But once complete, there are no monthly costs. I also recommend a good home workout video or program that you can follow along to. I bought a fitness product last month that focuses on body weight training (which trust me – unless you are looking to be a body builder, your own body weight and a few items is all you need). The product I bought is called Body Weight Burn. Although I have not gone through everything yet, what I have gone through I absolutely love. The program is very simple and very effective. I have printed out their workout schedules and hung them on my wall for easy access 🙂 For those seeking a more extensive setup, incorporating professional-grade commercial gym equipment could be a valuable addition to your home workout space.
So there’s one goal – my home workout area. I have another also… eating better. In the almost year I have been with my trainer, I have lost weight and gained muscle, strength, etc. but I still do not have my six pack. Meaning I still have issues with some belly fat, though not nearly as much as a year ago.
What I learned is that exercise, while important, is only half the answer. You need to eat better. I have fallen short here. I am not really such a BAD eater. I eat veggies, reduced my beef intake significantly, buy more organic and raw foods than I used to. But I still eat too much. My portion size needs to come down, and I also need to stop the snacking that I do. If I didn’t exercise several times per week I would be close to 250 pounds by now 🙂
So for the coming year, my goal is smaller portions and cutting the snacks. Food is always a tough one to change or control. We have a love affair with food. I love to cook, have dinner parties, holiday feasts, etc. There’s nothing wrong with that provided you do so in moderation. So moderation is the new watch word for me.
I see more vegetables in my future. Perhaps some good protein shakes, and I will dust off my juicer and put it to use once again. The Body Weight Burn has a section containing meal plans and recipes for healthy eating (although this may be in the upsell, which is also reasonably priced). I will study these meal plans and recipes and begin my journey into healthier eating.
My final 2 goals for the coming year…
1) This may sound vain, but I plan on obtaining my “six pack”, if for no other reason than to see if I can. Never had one, but it’s a goal to shoot for.
2) Get closer to marathon distance in my runs. I don’t know how realistic this is, but I think it’s a worthy goal for me.
Some final thoughts for you. I know the thought of exercising turns many people off. It did for me for many years. But I can almost guarantee that if you just start and allow enough time for it to become a habit, it WILL become enjoyable for you. Finding the right kind of program is important as well. For example, knowing that my personal trainer days are coming to an end, I found what so far I find to be an excellent replacement – kickboxing! It is quite a workout but also quite a stress reliever and very enjoyable. It’s much more affordable too (Trainer – $500/month and kickboxing – $84/month).
Now that my fitness program is firmly set in my lifestyle, I find that when I miss a day of my workout, I am disappointed and look forward to my next one. It’s no longer “Ugh – time to exercise” for me. Now it’s “Exercise time!” and come back feeling great.
I know you can do it. Please share your stories with us – we’d love to hear them.
