Creating Fitness Goals that are Just for You

I think it’s probably time I stop using the “I just had a baby excuse”.

My twins are 18 months old now (wow! That went by fast!) and if I’m being totally honest with myself, I still look like I’m at least 6 months pregnant.

2016 is the year I get serious about my health though.I’ve been in the fog of raising infant twins for so long that I’ve let my own needs slide so it’s time to take a good, hard look at what my fitness goals are.

It’s not that I haven’t tried to get back in shape. I’ve realized I just didn’t have the right motivation. I was trying to get in shape so that I would look better for other people. I’ve had a fair amount of comments thrown my way by strangers and they have bothered me more than they should have.

The thing is, they don’t know my backstory. They don’t know that my body carried twins for 35 weeks when I was once told I’d never carry a baby past the point of viability. They don’t know the insane amount of stress my family has been under for the last several years for reasons that are too complicated to go into.

It’s all excuses, but the point is, I don’t need to get in shape for other people. I need to get in shape for myself.

And maybe for a few of the smaller people in my life.

I had a health scare recently where I realized my weight is affecting more than my waistline. Realizing that my health could impact the ability I have to be there for my kids in the future snapped me to attention. They were the motivation I needed to finally take my own health seriously. I’m not to my goal but I’m making progress.

With New Year’s resolutions right around the corner, there’s going to be a lot of talk about dropping ten pounds or getting a bikini-ready body. With all they hype, it’s easy to make big goals that are just too hard to reach.

Setting goals doesn’t do you any good if you can’t keep them and you definitely don’t want to set goals that are going to do nothing more than make you feel bad about yourself.

What do you want out of your fitness goals?

Be realistic. Look at WHY you are setting fitness goals. For me, it doesn’t mean fitting into a bikini (seriously, I’ve had 7 kids. That ship has sailed). I want energy to play with my kids. I want to be in good health. I really want to be able to leave the house without someone asking me when my baby is due.

Your reasons for wanting to get in shape are going to be different than mine. Whatever they are, focus on those reasons and set goals that match. It’s much easier to stick to your goals when you have a WHY behind them.

Ask yourself a few questions before setting fitness goals?

• Who do I want to get in shape for?
• What kind of life do I see myself living once I reach my goals?
• How will reaching this goal make me feel better about myself?

Once you know why you are reaching for something, it will be much easier to stick with it.

Take the Abbott LIFE. TO THE FULLEST. quiz

Everyone wants to live the best life they can. Abbott calls this your #fullosophy. Everyone’s fullest life is going to look just a little bit different. That’s why it’s so important to follow your own heart and do the things that you know will make your life the best it can be. Take the Abbott LIFE. TO THE FULLEST. quiz to share what your #fullosophy is. Your responses will become part of a global look at the nature of human fulfillment.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.