Fitness Goals Should Be Uniquely You

I find it interesting how we credit and discredit goals around fitness.  I can only speak from my personal experience but if I hear someone say, “I want to lose 10 pounds in 4 weeks” I find this goal to be aspirational.  It may not be logical, healthy, or realistic but their ability to aim high and big is something that I find we value in society. 

Compare that fitness goal to my latest goal “Being able to manually air up my inflatable paddle board and not feel like I am going to die half way through.”  This goal doesn’t have the same curb appeal as the weight loss goals and therefore, I think I find myself undervaluing it.  Even though this goal is rooted in reality, is logical, useful, and achievable, why do I still find myself discounting it?  Because it is not inspirational? Because it isn’t that “sexy?” 

This is the struggle with fitness these days.  We like that which feels unreachable, and we are bored by that which we need the most.  But the really crazy thing about this way of thinking is I will be so much more proud of myself with my paddle board goal than I ever would be with a weight-loss goal.  And the reason for this is simply that silly three-letter word that we just cannot get enough of – WHY. 

The reality is the paddle board goal is tied to a bigger WHY for me.  My time on the water is healing.  I have no real words for why it is – it just is.  And if I can go into that space feeling empowered and strong in my physical body, then I am free to work on the mental, emotional, and spiritual body.  The weight loss goal is simply so I can feel good in my jeans which really just means I can maybe get that sideways glance from my boyfriend.  But let’s just be really honest, what lasting good comes from the feeling of the skinny jeans. 

Again, this is just me.  You will be different. I encourage you to not discount your fitness goals that are tied to a deep WHY.  No matter how silly they may seem, if they mean a lot to you, chances are high that you will reach your goal and have a lasting sense of accomplishment.  Skinny jeans be damned!