We all maintain project cycles in school or work, so why not pursue fitness on a continuing cycle as well? It seems that far too often, people get on a fitness plan for a limited amount of time in order to drop some weight or build some muscle. Then after a short period of either success or total failure, the fitness plan is sidelined. Either they accomplished the goal and are now back to living the way they were originally in the first place, or they have gotten distracted and have left all their dreams of healthy living on the curb. A “one and done” approach doesn’t cut it in any other aspect of life so why do so many people apply this method to their fitness habits?
Start the Cycle:
Set the Goal: Every project needs an objective. The act of simply going to the gym shouldn’t be a goal in and of itself. The reason people go to the gym is to burn calories or build muscle. However, for the purpose of this project cycle, determine a more specific goal that can be reached and one that will allow measurable progress along the way (e.g. lose 20 pounds, bench press 250 lbs, etc).
Pursue the Goal: This is where the hard work comes in to play. This article isn’t really about perseverance or discipline but you will, in fact, need both. Attack this project like you would any other item in your life. Set to achieving your goal in smaller, bite sized objectives which allow you to measure your progress along the way. If your goal is to bench press 250 lbs, you’ll first need to be able to bench press 150 lbs. If you notice incremental improvement then you’ll be sure you are on the right track.
Meet the Goal: Sadly, it is usually a very small percentage of people that make it to this step. After starting their personal fitness plans many people just won’t succeed. Of all the numerous success stories in the world, can you think of all the failure stories that are out there as well? I know that I personally have numerous failures under my belt, but this is beside the point. You are different. You read FitHacks.com. You will make it : – )
Repeat: This is actually the most important step. You’ve chosen your goal, persevered through the hard work and met the goal. Now you have to start again. Choose another goal and get to work or your lifestyle will quickly revert to the same old habits you had in the past. If you’ve succeeded in losing 20lbs, then that is fantastic! However, if you don’t keep pursuing fitness then what will keep you from putting those same pounds back on? Many subscribe to a life of maintenance where your goal is simply to stay the same; put no weight on so there’s no need to take any weight off. However, this will quickly become tiresome. People are very goal-oriented. Without keeping a lifestyle of fitness cycles, many people just won’t be able to keep the achievements they have worked so hard for in the first place.
(photo by 13dede)
