Return on Life: Enjoy the Journey

I wrote last about having to adjust my "get fit and stay healthy" goal for the year. I had planned to accomplish that goal through running, including a half marathon in the fall. That plan has been interrupted, if not completely trashed, by a nagging Achilles tendon issue. To stay active while I allow the tendon to heal, I've begun swimming.

I remember my father teaching me to swim, and how scary it was, at 5 years old, to push off the side to kick and float without support for the first time, with him standing probably only ten feet away, arms outstretched. He had to reassure me several times that he would be there to catch me--and he was! From that point on, I spent hours and hours at our local outdoor pool in the summer and at an indoor Olympic-size indoor pool year round as a teen. I even taught swimming lessons (the four and five year-olds were the most fun!). But then came a period of my life where I just didn't swim. For many years I was just involved in other activities and didn't spend much time around a pool.

Being forced to make the transition back to swimming has reminded me how much I love it. I love the water, the sound of the voices echoing indoors, and the squealing children playing in the cold water with the hot sun. Think about activities you used to enjoy as a child, teen, even young adult that you have not done for awhile. Identify something that used to please you to be involved in, and give it a shot again. You may have forgotten how much enjoyment you gained from it. If you're like me, you may reconnect with an activity that truly increases your enjoyment of the journey of reaching a personal goal!

Return on Life: Are you halfway to your goals for the year?

Most of us begin the new year by setting goals for the coming 12 months. Some of you, I'm certain, are still focused on what you want to accomplish during 2008. However, if you are like many, by the time spring rolls around (much less summer!), you've either forgotten most of the goals you set or you are no longer focusing on them.

In another week, we'll be halfway through 2008. It's a great time to step back and think about what's important to you. Are the goals you set supportive of the values which are most important to you? If you are struggling with this, try to think of goals more in terms of the following pattern: I would like my life to be more _____________ this year.

One of my goals this year has been for my life to be more active. I decided to start running again and set a goal of running a half marathon in the fall in order to support the larger goal of being more active. I built up to the point of being able to run 3 miles in 30 minutes (on a flat course, inside!!) with no problems, but then developed a problem with my Achilles tendon. I have not been able to run for about 6 weeks now. However, I am able to work out on an elliptical and today I tried swimming, which I also love. Although I'll be a little disappointed if I can't make the half marathon, setting my yearly goal as being more active has allowed "mental latitude" in how I get there. It's made it much easier to explore options and not get stuck on one method, then giving up altogether when hitting an obstacle with it.

So, revisit your goals and reframe them, if necessary, in terms of "I would like my life to be more ____________ this year. See what you can accomplish in the second half of 2008!

Return on Life: Goals in theory vs. goals in real life

I recently began a walking/jogging program in earnest. My goal is to run a half marathon race this fall, so this is the first step. Having been a runner (many 10k races and one half marathon) in the past, I had a sense of what a half marathon training program looks like. I also knew how out of shape I was. To begin, I found a training program that would help me realistically get from walking 30-45 minutes to a straight jog. So I was taking all the steps to making my goal a SMART one (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timebound).

Because I began in early March, my first few weeks of training were all indoors, on the running track at the local YMCA. I was progressing well, each session left me tired, but ultimately feeling stronger. Until.....the first spring day arrived and I did my walk/run outdoors. I could hardly believe how much more difficult it was! I'd forgotten how much difference even small changes in elevation (believe me, I can't claim there were actual hills involved!) and moving air (no high winds either) could make.

Since that day I've been able to train outdoors once or twice each week. Each time, I'm reminded of the lesson I learned about artificial circumstances vs. the real world, which is what I want to share with you today: Even when you set SMART goals, things will be different when you begin, in the real world, to take the actions needed to reach the goals. And that's okay. Stay focused on the actions you know you need to take, absorb the reality, adjust if needed, and keep moving forward. I take a nice hot bubble bath after my outdoor runs as a treat for the extra effort (and yes, to help my muscles recover). Don't allow real life to get you off track!

Be certain the goals you set are yours

Setting goals that stick requires that you set goals (and activities to get you there) that are truly yours, not someone else's. It's easy, especially this time of year, to take on goals that sound good, but that we have not really thought through. This also works at the level of deciding what activities you'll undertake to reach the goals.

I was reminded of this yesterday during a conversation with my friend Michelle. We are both working on getting in better shape this year. Michelle's goal is to workout every other day for 60 minutes. As a former body builder, that will likely include weight lifting at least twice per week with various aerobic activities thrown in. I, on the other hand, as a former runner, have a goal of running in a half marathon in September. My regimen will be made up mostly of walking, jogging, and running, with a little strength training thrown in.

We are working toward the same general goal--better health through a stronger, more fit body. But we're taking our own paths to get there. As you think about your goals, be sure they're goals that truly matter to YOU. And set up the daily activities accordingly.

Have a great weekend!