Build a strategy for success In your health and fitness

There are many possible reasons you did not achieve your fitness goals in 2016 – not devising a strategy for success is possibly one of them.

At this time of year, most people’s attention starts to turn to their fitness goals over the coming months.

To help define your fitness goals you must first devise a strategy for success on how you too, can be fit over 40. That way, when your willpower starts to crumble next month, if you have a strategy in place you are more likely to achieve success.

When coaching new clients, it often becomes apparent that they have spent longer planning a one-week holiday to Portugal in July than they have spent planning how they will look and perform in one, five or 10 years’ time.

Success requires a strategy and planning, much like any project or business plan. Your goals need to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-specific).

To achieve your fitness goals your brain must move through three phases: vision, opposition and your transformation. For your strategy to be a success you must cover all three. I’ve devised a sample plan here, to give you an idea:

• Project name: health and fitness 2017
• Desired goal: 62kg, size 10 in jeans, fit comfortably (currently size 14 and 72kg)

(Be specific here – the goal is important but later we will look at how achieving this goal benefits every aspect of your life.)

• Today’s date: December 27, 2016
• Target date: June 27, 2017 (six months)
• Results/benefits: the key here is to link your outcome with the different areas of your life, starting with the hierarchy of your values.

Your values flow from your identity, who you think you are. Many people identify themselves based on their values. For example, I am a mother, businessman / woman, entrepreneur, athlete, teacher.

So link the results of your desired goal with areas of your life:

1. Family
2. Relationship
3. Career
4. Finance
5. Social and Entertainment
6. Health and Well-being
7. Spirituality
8. Education and Personal Development

It’s important that you drill down during this part about why the desired result is important to you.

Your first answer is not normally the correct one. That is why a coach is beneficial to help draw out your thought process and really help define your fitness goals on how to be fit over 40.

Here is a video I made to help kickstart proceedings: