Have you ever said the words “Someday I’d like to ….” or “I wish I could ….”? (Insert whatever activity or sport best applies to you.) Whatever your dream is: to run a 5K, keep up with friends on weekend bike rides, ski with your kids or grandkids, hike the Grand Canyon, do an Ironman triathlon … I’m here to tell you that ANYTHING is possible if you want it badly enough and have a plan.
So, how do you Train for Success? Follow these 5 simple steps:
1. Define your goals.
What do you want to accomplish? Pinpoint your goal. Choose one that’s meaningful and specific, and then tell someone. Saying it out loud to another person makes it real.
2. Find an expert/coach/personal trainer.
Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Go to the professionals. I’ve been a personal trainer for over 21 years, but when I decided to participate in triathlon, and eventually do an Ironman, I sought out the guidance and advice of a triathlon coach. She gave me a specific plan to follow and held me accountable to my goals.
3. Train with a partner or group.
Personally, I feel it’s much more fun to train with other people. They will tend to have similar goals, and like your coach, they will help hold you accountable to your goals. Plus, you might make some new friends. Bonus!
4. Follow the plan!
Simply stated, this is probably the most important step of the entire process. Consistent and persistent effort pays off. Remember your goals. The time and effort you’ve spent training will pay off in the end. The human body is an amazing machine. It adapts to change and gets stronger/better/faster when challenged. Trust your training.
5. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
You’ve done the work. You’ve followed through with your training. Now enjoy your success. Allow yourself to bask in the glory to your accomplishment. Being fit and strong enough to achieve your goal is a pretty cool thing. YOU worked for it. YOU did it! Whether I’m playing basketball in the driveway with the kids, or crossing the finish line in Ironman, the feeling of accomplishment in my personal fitness goals never gets old.
Every Fall, for the past 11 years, I’ve taught a class at Pinnacle Health and Fitness called SnowSport. We meet for our first class at the end of September, well before other people are thinking about snow. But this awesome group has turned their thoughts ahead 8-12 weeks. They are thinking of their favorite winter sporting activities, and know if they put in the time, effort and sweat NOW, they will be more than ready to accomplish their goals on the slopes when the first snowflakes fall. They are prepared. Do they follow the 5 steps outlined above? You bet they do. You can too. It all starts with a goal.