The more years that go by, the more I appreciate how important fitness is for enjoying life. I like the short-term perk of “looking fit” (although that’s mostly nutrition), but the biggest benefit is the ability to experience life’s adventures. I want to have the energy and fitness to explore the world for many, many, many years to come.
If you want to have the energy and ability to keep exploring, prioritizing your fitness should be at the top of your list. You want to be able to tackle the fun that comes your way, instead of feeling like you can’t do something!
So how do you get started and stay inspired for a lifetime? Today I’m sharing five truths that I’ve found to be true.
5 Truths for Lifetime Fitness
1. Find What You Love
What gets you excited to move? Is it the thought of crossing a new finish line or summiting a mountain peak? Maybe you prefer the feeling of the wind in your face while riding your bike or the satisfaction of lifting a new record weight?
Do some internal soul searching on this one for what truly inspires you. And realize that what you loved last year might be different than what keeps you motivated today. Finding what YOU love helps you to stay motivated to move, even on the days you’d rather choose to be lazy.
2. Choose a Goal
Once you know what you love, you can pick a goal to keep that fresh. I recommend a goal that takes you a little out of your comfort zone – not something you could do tomorrow. If your goal is too easy, you’ll find excuses to take extra rest days. If it’s too hard, you’ll feel overwhelmed and quit.
Goals come in many shapes & sizes. A running race – either to tackle a new distance or set a new personal record time. Hiking a new record mileage or summiting a peak. Cycling through a foreign country or playing tennis every week.
[Tweet “Choose goals that stretch your comfort zone for lifetime #fitness.”]
3. Plan Your Attack
With your goal picked out, it’s time to start preparing! Where you start depends on your current fitness level. You should start at a level that feel almost easy and build slowly to your goal, with scheduled recovery time throughout your training.
Depending on your sport, you might find training suggestions online or find a coach to guide your training. Make sure your plan incorporates stretching and strength training for a balanced (and injury-resistant) routine.
4. Find an Accountability Partner
How do you get through the times you’d rather give up, be lazy, or a little of both? Having someone to talk you down or push you on is invaluable!
In my own life, I’ve found different different types of accountability has worked at different times in my life. For years, I trained with a running group, then a triathlon group – who turned into some of my closest friends. I worked with a triathlon coach for several years during this time, where I learned how much structured training helped me improve my own performance. When I transitioned to bodybuilding a few years ago, I found an online trainer (who happens to be local) to help write my nutrition & workouts.
Whether you choose a group of friends or a coach, find someone to help keep you accountable to really stick with it!
5. Keep it FUN!
You change jobs, change clothing styles, and change favorite foods. It only makes sense that your fitness preferences might change over time. I have experienced this myself!
Don’t feel like you have to stick with the same activities year after year. If you’re feeling less inspired, try something new! I have been a dancer, a home exercise video fan, a runner, triathlete, duathlete, bikini competitor, snowboarder, hiker, & backpacker.
I love to mix it up and feel most inspired when I have a few complementary goals at one time! If you’re a runner, hiking is a great way to use that fitness to reach new heights (pun intended). Triathletes might try more cycling events, which might make you an even better triathlete. And if you’re a hiker, a little running might help improve your endurance even more!
[Tweet “Don’t slow down – follow these truths for lifetime #fitness!”]
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Questions for you:
- Tell me about an adventures you want experience?
- What truths to add to this list?
