Train To The Goal!

Contributed by Ja-Naé's Trainer, Helen

Choose your goals for this summer - to spice up your fitness routine! Training to a goal can be a great motivator to get out there and get going. By choosing a race or other event to work towards, your workouts will be focused and you will push yourself to stick to your workout plan! And, as a warning, you are likely to have a lot of fun along the way. Take Gerry for an example. Gerry is my mom, and in July 2005 she completed her first triathlon (the Danskin sprint tri) after several months of training. I couldn't be more proud of her. She was motivated to do the triathlon when she came to cheer me on at the same event the year before. Seeing women of all shapes and ages crossing that finish line, mom was inspired. About her triathlon experience, Gerry says, "It was a thrill to do it. I was so pleased to do it and I feel wonderful. I am looking forward to triathlon season next year." When asked if training made a difference in her fitness, Gerry said "definitely." She continued that when training for the triathlon, "I made sure I balanced exercise between the three sports. I made sure I could keep up activity for the full length of the triathlon. And, of course, I had to learn to swim." After completing the triathlon, Gerry was fit, toned and felt great. In the process of training, Gerry also met many other fitness enthusiasts and found out how much she loves to swim. So this year sign up for a new challenge, make a commitment to yourself, and have some fun! Whether your goal is to complete a 3-mile fund-raising walk or a 100-mile bike ride, setting a goal for yourself will keep you motivated and focused. Training to a goal in three easy steps Step 1: Choose the race. Listings of local races can be found on websites such as active.com or coolrunning.com or in Boston Metro Sports paper. Step 2: Get a plan Set out clear training schedule, with specific workouts you want to accomplish each week leading up to your event. Your training schedule should be tailored to the event, and allow you to progress safely towards your goal. You can find sample training programs for many events on-line or in sport-specific books or, better yet, get a personalized training schedule from a fitness trainer or coach. Step 3: Dive in Your plan is only as good as its implementation - so get out there and get moving! And don't forget to have fun.

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Let me know about what you think about this tip. Email me at helen@getfitforfun.net. Happy eating!