So we all have big dreams and aspirations when it comes to our fitness routines, especially when we are just starting out. The problem is trying to obtain these fitness goals and making sure that we are staying accountable. Most of the time we put far too much pressure on ourselves and with today’s busy lifestyle trends we start off strong and then eventually our good intentions disappear as life takes over.
As discussed in my recent tips for new runners post, primarily one of the most important components when looking to embark on a new fitness adventure is to be realistic from the beginning. Life is far too short to feel down out and depressed about not fitting in your workout for that day. Instead, the nicer alternative is to set yourself an overall fitness goal, and break it up into bite size pieces, which can lead you to set yourself weekly challenges which will make your overarching goal more obtainable.
Staying accountable is a vital part of getting healthy and fit. Find something that you love to do, create a workout schedule that is manageable and suits YOUR lifestyle and everything else should fall into place. Obviously there are times when you just can’t be bothered to workout, but fear not as I have a post with tips on how to stay motivated to workout. However, try to decipher whether it is laziness or tiredness that is putting you off working out, if you are tired it is better to just rest and let your body recover, it’s OK to do this too.
Re-evaluating my fitness goals is something that I have experienced throughout my pregnancy and as it progresses these shift and change. To adjust to my changing body I’ve reduce the impact and duration of my cardio workouts (20-30 minutes), lowered my weights as part of my strength training and incorporated more yoga and walking into my routine. My overarching goal is to just keep moving and not stress when I feel too fatigued to workout. The overriding principal element here is the health of my baby, but I also want to keep my fitness levels up during this period which hopefully will aid me during labour and my postpartum recovery.
I’m not going to lie, some weeks are better than others and there are times when I just cannot be bothered, especially during busy working weeks. Although I’m a healthy living blogger, I’m not a saint and I like to be real and honest with you all. I mentioned in my post at the weekend that I struggled and felt demotivated to workout last week and didn’t manage to do that much yoga. I just did what I could which in the end I was really happy with, all things considered. This week I’m aiming to be more accountable and have decided to take part of the Spogo #1PercentMore weekly challenge. I’ve set my self two realistic and obtainable goals that are suited to my current situation and lifestyle:
Between 23rd-28th June (i.e. this week!), I will be putting my accountability to the test and challenging myself to achieve my realistic targets. It would be great if you could all join in too. This is great way to stay motivated to exercise and increase your fitness levels in a manageable and obtainable way. The best thing is that you don’t need a gym membership or any equipment to achieve this weekly challenge, a yoga mat would be good but not necessarily essential. The weather seems to be on our side at the moment for some more outdoorsy fitness fun, perfect for walking! I would love it if you posted pictures of you taking part or out on your walks to Twitter or Facebook or about your progress with the hashtag #1PercentMore and @celery_cupcakes so I can retweet them.
Like I always say when it comes to fitness it’s essential that you enjoy what you are doing otherwise there really isn’t any point. Enjoyment in fitness will equate to accountability, which in turn will lead to better overall health and attainment of your fitness goals.
If you are taking part in my challenge this week then good luck and enjoy the journey, let’s do this!
How do you stay accountable when it comes to your fitness? Do you think that you are realistic in the goals that you set yourself?
A great idea Jemma! I think the goals you have set are very achievable and realistic.
Thanks Dana! 😉
I like the thought of progress, not perfection. I can see I was overreaching. I go for a daily walk, painful though it is. I wouldn’t be able to achieve this without the aid of my rollator. Sometimes, I don’t reach the end I have in mind. But, it’s still progress, right?
Exactly! I think that’s where so many of us go wrong. Perfection doesn’t exist, strive for progress!
I never seem to have time to set myself goals, or if I do I never find time to fulfil them
Cat x
Maybe you could make more smaller and more achievable goals to suit your lifestyle and current situation. 🙂
Great idea hun! Next time I’m out on a walk I’ll try to remember to take a pic an use the hashtag!
That would be lovely! 🙂
I’ve struggled with regular exercise during this pregnancy. I feel especially tired, probs from running around after a toddler. However, only last week I was thinking I need to up my game and have a more formal exercise programme. I may follow your lead with the yoga and walking plan. Good luck with yours. Make sure you’re kind to yourself, pregnancy changes everything at times, as i’m sure you know 🙂
Everything is changing all the time, so I’m glad that now I’m able to adapt more and accept this. Good luck with making your own goals, but don’t be too hard on yourself. 🙂
I think habits are what keep me accountable. I am just so used to the gym being part of my MWF routine that I don’t even think to stop going. If I’m sick or don’t have time, then I skip a day, but then just pick up the next time where I left off. So I figure it’s probably just the habit, you know? 🙂
I’m so good at going to the gym believe it or not, but it’s the yoga that I struggle with at the minute. But I agree, habits can keep you accountable.
I think you’re taking a really good approach. Setting achievable goals is the only way forward. There’s no point in setting stupid goals that just seem impossible, so you give up straight away. I think there are always going to be different times in your life when your goals are different.
This is such a great idea for a challenge! It IS all about progress and sometimes it’s nice to have a little motivation to keep progressing 🙂
What a great idea! I’m making myself go back and swim like I used to! Maybe I’ll copy your idea.
Oh great! Hope your goals go well for you. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your tips! They are very helpful to me because I try my best to keep myself accountable for my workouts.
Good for you! Being accountable really helps maintaining your fitness levels and health.
Great idea!! I love that you’re also blogging about it to help stay accountable. 🙂
That’s a good fitness goal!
Very easy to do for anyone! I’m a huge fan of yoga as of this year and it’s changed me in so many ways.
I couldn’t do without yoga at the moment, it’s so tranquil and amazing.
You have some wonderful goals that are definitely achievable! Good luck!
Thank you!
i agree. i used to have unrealistic expectations when it comes to fitness…. and when it’s discouraging from the get go.. it’s hard to move forward. i really hate running, but i just started doing couch to 5k. so far it’s been okay! 🙂
Doing something that you enjoy is so important for fitness. I hope your 5K plan is going well.
I need to start walking more often! Thanks for sharing your accountability things! 🙂
Walking is such a great form of exercise. 🙂
Fantastic!! I definitely think this is a great list for beginning runners! <3
I guess the same approach could be applied to running too 🙂
Your fitness tips are some of my favorite in this blog world!
Thank you hun, so glad that you like them. 🙂
Those are really great goals. I need to get back on track, I am faltering a bit and I really don’t want to – but I’m just so tired… My goal for this week is to start tracking my eating again, and to workout at least every second day – no more 2 days off in a row!
You sound like you are doing well at putting things right. We all go through these phases and it’s perfectly natural. The important thing is that you want to get on track. Take your time and make small changes, you will be fine! 🙂 x
Good luck with your challenge, I too set myself some goals that I am working through and are realistic for me x
Being realistic with goal that fit your lifestyle is so important! Good luck! 🙂
It is very sensible to have realistic goals- good luck with them.
Thanks Maria! 🙂
these are great tips! being realistic is so important. i try to be realistic in my goals…the one i’m working toward right now is to run a half marathon. it’s been a goal for a long time but has never felt achievable until now! after running 10 this spring, i feel like i can actually do a half!
Amazing! Good luck with that! 🙂
Love this! I’ve yet to find a way that really works for me to stay accountable so I’m still searching 😉
Hope you find something that works for you soon 🙂
Love that first quote.
It’s one of my favourites and so true!
I love this. I was trying to go to the gym everyday and did pretty well last week, but between final projects and finals this week, it just isn’t happening and I feel so draggy!
Well done on setting achievable goals through your pregnancy. Goals have to realistic, otherwise it is easy to become demotivated when you struggle to achieve them and are much more likely to give up.
I also agree, there’s no point doing anything if you’re not enjoying it.
I have been doing the Spogo 1% more stuff too and just making small changes can really make a big difference.
My fitness has fallen off big time. I like the quote. Progress not perfection…