Assessing Your Workout

We are now into the month of February, can you believe it?  We are well in to 2013, and I have one question for you - have you kept up with your workout goals that you created as part of your New Year's Resolution?  Statistically speaking, the majority of people who create new goals for themselves in January have abandoned them by March.  I would love for you to have the tools to to assess your workouts so that you can be as effective as possible in reaching your goals.

As you think about your goals, are they realistic?

1. Do you have a time frame for meeting your goal?  If you don't have a time frame for finishing, then your goal is probably not a realistic; open-ended goals are rarely accomplished.

2. Is it something you can accomplish on your own, or do you need to hire a personal trainer to help you?  Don't be intimidated, if you need a trainer, it is always worth the money and time spent because he or she will make sure you have realistic goals based on your current fitness level, and help you reach them more quickly than if you remain on your own.

3. Are they based on your current fitness level, prior workout history, prior injuries or illnesses, and current medical conditions?  These are important things to take note of in order to be truly successful.  Your new exercise routine must be tailored to where you are personally.

As you think about your exercise routine, have you included all components of fitness?

1. Have you included flexibility training?  This is important for injury prevention, increased blood flow to the muscles, and total body flexibility.

2. Have you included strength training?  Strength training is a "must" for any training regimen.  It is important for gaining functional strength, avoiding injury, and increasing weight loss.

3. Have you included cardiovascular training?  This is going to keep your heart and circulatory system healthy and happy, and help with weight loss.

4. Have you included balance training?  This significantly lowers risk of falling in older adulthood.

These are some basic questions to assess where you are in the process of reaching your goals.  If you have "fallen off the wagon," or realize that maybe your goals aren't specific enough or reachable on your own, don't lose heart!  Talk to a professional in the fitness industry who can help you be successful.  If you do hire a personal trainer, remember that it is always okay to ask about what certifications they have, their training experience, and what populations they specialize in training.  Take whatever steps you need to in order to have lasting change for 2013!