Setting Fitness Goals Over 40

Sue Loncaric writes over at Sizzling Towards Sixty, where she shares about aging with sizzle. To learn more about how to live a healthy life sign up to receive updates from her.

New Year, New You?

In the new year we notice that our thoughts turn to how we can make changes in our lives. Social media bombards us about the next ‘big’ thing to make us feel healthier and happier. Some things work and others don’t. We can be sucked into a false hope only to be shattered or disappointed because nothing seems to work.

I’ve decided to make this year a fit and fabulous new year. A year where I really look at my lifestyle and make those changes we all talk about – to eat healthier, less alcohol, more exercise and most of all more happiness.

Lately I find that although I espouse to be fit and healthy, I do well on the fitness side but maybe not so well on the fabulous side. Fabulous to me means I feel upbeat, a ‘spring in my step’ and just really feel on top of my life. Most of all it means I feel happy within myself and look forward to each day with enthusiasm for life.

I know that as we get older we probably say to ourselves ‘I’m over all of this, I’m not interested in exercise or eating well’ – but we should be. I love to feel fit and healthy in body and mind.

Why I Exercise

LIFE IS BETTER because WE FEEL BETTER.

We don’t need to attend Bootcamp or starve ourselves – we can get results with consistent lifestyle changes.

I can easily write words about what you should do and to encourage others in fitness. I’ve tried that with my Fab Fitters over at my #couchpotatotofabfit Facebook group and have received very positive feedback. Sometimes I’m so busy when I give my thoughts and advice to others that  I don’t listen to myself. I don’t take my own advice to have a more relaxed and mindful life.

So in 2017 we will change that! My word for 2017 is ‘Simplify’ and that means we don’t have to look for the next big thing to make us healthy and happy. It means we’ll take a simple but consistent approach to all areas of our life. Forget the crash diets, forget the grueling workouts, forget the addiction to social media and the whirl of life.

We can be fit and fabulous and live a simple life. It all comes down to being true to ourselves. WE have the power.

How will I change things? Well….

My 5 Ways to a Fit And Fabulous New Year

1. Less talk and more action.

Yes, I’m good with advice about ways to be fit and fabulous. Now I need to JUST DO IT! I will put these changes into action and live by example. That means I will make good food choices, exercise each day, take time out to rest my mind, and remove the words ‘Fad Diet’ from my vocabulary.

It is all about healthier food choices instead of starving ourselves. Good nutrition makes us feel vital and alive.

2. Start each day with time for me.

I won’t jump out of bed and straight onto social media or my website, I’ll start the day with time for ME. That means to find some quiet time to prepare for the day and what I want to achieve. It also means I’ll make time to exercise – either yoga, a walk or a run or a workout with my PT. Something to get me moving for the day.

3. Plan and Set Targets.

I used my last few days of 2016 to put a plan into place and set some targets for myself. I achieve nothing if I don’t have a plan which will help to keep me on track.

4. Have an Accountability Partner

I will enlist a buddy system to help me keep accountable. I have my P.T. and Saturday Sisters running group to help motivate me, plus the Fab Fitters.

5. Reward and love myself.

If I put in the hard work and get results then little rewards along the way will certainly help. A massage, a day spa, a new outfit – whatever makes me feel extra special.

It’s so important to learn to love yourself in your current state. Being a Body Image Movement Ambassador means we’re healthy and happy with ourselves as a person first and foremost.

Will you join me on a journey to fit and fabulous this year?

I will regularly check in with posts on where I am in my quest. I’ll share what I have learned, new recipes to try and maybe some new fitness ideas. I’d love you to follow and hopefully gain help and inspiration yourself.

If you would like to join me in a quest to be Fit & Fabulous join the Fab Fitters over at my #couchpotatotofabfit Facebook page.