What’s a good Fitness Goal?

What do you want to do? It’s the question I ask after people tell me how out of shape they are or how tired they are or they talk about what they use to be able to do. Trust me; I get it. I was that person for several years.

The unloading of the issues is therapeutic in a way, but honestly, it doesn’t change much.

So I ask: What do you want to do?

Normally this question is met with one of two responses.

1. The most common is silence and a befuddled look.
2. The second is – I want to feel better maybe get in shape.

I ask it for a reason I want people to think about a solution rather than a problem. It takes a few questions, and it takes a little prodding, but inside, there is normally a want and a why.

Once you answer these questions, we can begin to get a plan, then action, then improvement. It’s always – and I mean always a fantastic moment when the light goes on, and the individual realizes they can improve.

One example is my buddy. He’s a year younger than me, and a few years back, I was running in the Gate River Run, a 15K that I try to make every year. He met me on one stretch as a spectator, and we walked and talked a bit before I had to get back to running.

We talked after the run, and he gushed about how great it was that I could still run and then explained all his issues. SO I asked the question and got the look. I asked if there was one thing he could get back, what it would be and why. His answer was to shoot baskets so he could play and teach his grandson.

OK, we had a goal and a reason. We talked for a bit, and after a few weeks, he committed to a start – a simple walk. We would check in every few weeks, and we’d go through frequency and distance. Eventually, he was up to three miles three times a week and felt better, and dropped a few pounds.

We talked about maybe a 3 step jog every half mile – after he laughed, he said sure. A year later, we did a walk/run at the Gate River Run together – we were not fast, we were around 14 min a mile, but we finished without injury and had beer! Since then, he’s run it every year, adding family members and friends. He is also able to shoot baskets with his grandson.

He and I still talk often and still meet up at the run. He’s down about 25lbs, and his mobility is greatly improved. He has the most fun with his grandson, shooting baskets, going to football games, and just hanging out. He has the energy and the ability.

Recently he told me when we first talked he honestly had never thought about making the changes he’s made because he had accepted it was just part of “getting old.”

My point is we all age, you don’t have to “get old”. Making small sustainable changes to your nutrition and daily movement can have a dramatic, long-lasting impact.

The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. If you would like to work with a group that tailors a workout for you personally; and a workout support team that lets you work out in the comfort of your home without judgment, contact K factor coaching.