Exercise and Goals

Happy Monday!
I hope you had a fabulous weekend and you got treated like a Rock Star on Valentine's Day!!
Are you ready for another great and healthy week?! I am! Bring it on!!

At the top of this post is a silly photo of my husband and I! He was being a good sport as I was trying to do push ups...lol! The idea didn't work out as planned but it made a fun photo :D 
Exercise has become such a part of my daily life. Though it's not always easy to make the time, when I don't, my body can feel it! We all have busy lives and sometimes it's challenging to find the time to exercise. Sometimes it's just easier to make excuses why we can't! With that said, get out your notebook/journal and I'm going to share 25 REASONS why we SHOULD exercise!! Most of the reasons are common sense but perhaps there are a few that you didn't think about! If nothing else, they're reasons why we should make the time in our busy life to do it!

Builds self-esteem.
Keeps your brain fit.
Reduces stress.
Keeps your body fit and able.
Boosts your immune system.
Improves joint function.
Improves muscle strength.
Alleviates anxiety.
Helps you keep focused in life.
Improves eating habits.
Strengthens your bones.
Increases longevity.
Strengthens your heart.
Improves posture.
Prevents colds.
Improves cholesterol levels.
Lowers high blood pressure.
Lowers risk of diabetes.
Eases back pain.
Prevents muscle loss.
Increases energy and endurance.
Increases sports performance.
Improves oxygen supply to cells.
Lessens fatique.
Improves quality of life!

Feeling motivated?! Awesome :D
Now we need to turn that motivation into goals!! As a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, I strongly believe effective goal setting stems from the acronym SMART. SMART goals use the following principles:

Specific - a specific goal is 1 that is clearly defined in such a way that anyone could understand what the intended outcome is. Goals should contain a detailed description of what is to be accomplished, when we want to accomplish it by, and the actions that will be taken to accomplish it!

Measurable - goals need to be quantifiable. Assess the progress towards each goal. If a goal can't be measured, we can't manage it. For example, "I want to look better" isn't measurable, but "to reduce body fat by 5% in 12 weeks" is measurable!

Attainable - attainable goals are the right mix of goals that are challenging, but not extreme. Goals that are too easily accomplished don't stretch us or make us grow as a person because they're not challenging enough!

Realistic - to be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which we're both willing and able to work. A goal is probably realistic if we truly believe that it can be accomplished!

Timely - a goal should have a specific date of completion. The date should be realistic, but not too distant in the future. For example, set goals that can be achieved tomorrow and in 3 months!

I'll be posting exercise routines soon so NOW is the time to set goals! Don't make excuses why you can't exercise INSTEAD make excuses why you should :)

I love quotes and have many posted in my bathroom! The quotes motivate AND remind me of the goals I set for myself!! I found this quote on Pinterest and it has me laughing...
If you have time to Facebook, you can make time to exercise :D

Have a great day!
See you on Wednesday!!