by Bob Lachniet
President -
Fitness 4 Home Superstore
So, whether you’ve just started running, or you’re an experienced marathon runner, we all run into the same plateau. There is that point where we all realize that there is what we are, and what we want to be, and the realization goes beyond that when we finally figure out that we may not get to where we want to be.
Of course, that happens with most things in life. No matter how hard we work, we may not be able to quite hit that lofty goal we set for ourselves. Now, before that sounds negative – it’s not. The reality is – you are what you are, and you can either spend your life frustrated by what you aren’t, or be grateful for what you are.
When it comes to your exercise program, we all start out with pretty lofty goals. Maybe it's to fit into the clothes we wore in high school or college. Maybe it's to win a marathon. Maybe it's to be the next winner of the Ironman Triathlon! And, it's important to set these high goals - it's a way to get ourselves started.
When you start exercising, you may get overwhelmed initially with your progress. Of course, if you’ve spent 25 years in an unhealthy lifestyle, every positive change in diet and exercise is progress! Yet, as the months go on, your progress seems to flatten out. Where once you could extend your distance by 50% in a month, now it seems like no matter how hard you try, you can’t go any farther!
What’s important is that you set a goal and go after it. And, realize that at any point, you can re-evaluate and change your goals! Rather than constantly battling yourself against unrealistic expectations, you can look at each run, each bike ride, or each gym workout, as “good” or “bad”. You can choose to look at your exercise activities as a way that you enhance your life! You are fortunate because you choose to live a healthy lifestyle. You are fortunate because you have more energy when you play with your kids. You are fortunate because you look and feel younger.
In the end, your biggest competitor is yourself. And your definition of what your best is, is always subject to your own reevaluation! Your goal shouldn’t be to be the next winner of the Ironman Triathlon (although, if you are the next winner – good for you!). Your goal should be to always be the best you can be!
