Setting Fitness Goals

‘This time next year Rodney, we’ll be millionaires’, many of us are 
familiar with the famous line from ‘Only Fools and Horses’. It’s very easy to 
set ideal goals far off in the future and do little more to achieve 
them. It’s the time of year where people are aiming to change lifestyles 
and become fitter and healthier so why not put in place a plan to 
convert these goals into reality.

One way to become healthier is to aim for a definite goal in the near 
future. Maybe a 5k race, a cycling competition or a swimming programme. 
There are ‘couch to 5k’ plans available on the internet for anyone who 
leads a sedentary lifestyle and following such a plan can lead to a very 
satisfying outcome when race-day arrives (The www.runireland.com website 
can be used to find events to train for). Similarly if you prefer 
cycling there are plans available to gradually increase fitness and 
distance covered until you are ready for a competition 
(www.cyclingireland.ie is a good resource for training and event 
timetables).

A swimming programme that enjoyed much success in recent years was the ‘Swim For 
a Mile’ programme. This initiative was set up by Swim Ireland and is 
aimed at encouraging continued participation in swimming. Similar swimming programmes may be running in your local pool or if not there will be other swimming classes available. For those with willpower there are swimming schedules available online that will get you swimming that mile in just 6 to 8 weeks. One such schedule is available at http://www.ruthkazez.com/SwimWorkouts/ZeroTo1mile.html

So with so many options available to combat that old enemy, 
procrastination, why not plan your path to fitness success, you might 
not be a millionaire next year but you could be healthier and happier 
with your achievements in the year ahead!