Goooooooals!

I've heard so much from my circle about goal setting. What is it exactly and do I need to do it? Basically, your goals should stem from your passion. For me that is fitness. I learn so much each day. Whatever your passion is setting a goal will keep you on the right path. My goal right now is to be nice to me. As many of you know, I was hurt this summer. I broke my wrist and badly bruised my knee so my normal workouts where a no go for me. I had to revamp my fitness plan so I had to allow some self-care for ME.

I make my goals very specific. This means detailing what it is EXACTLY that I want. Until recently my goals were very general and I never felt like I was accomplishing anything and you know what, I didn't. By narrowing what it is I want, I can make a plan to meet my goal.

This brings up a good point of goal setting. Your goal should be attainable. Are you 5'2 and want to be a Radio City Rockette? Working hard and having a stage presence isn't going to help if the Rockettes have a height requirement. Make sure your goals are in your control.

During the height of my injury my goal was not to compete in a triathlon but to get better. Make sure you are honoring where you are in your life right now. Be aware that life changes and your goals might have to change too. Be open to that and be realistic.

Do you set goals? Try it, you'll like it! Grab piece of paper or start a new memo on your iPhone, and write out your goals. Good Luck!

Talk Much?

There are lots of ways to be rude in a fitness class, but one of the most annoying situations is a group of chatty people discussing their lives or whispering together as they run on treadmills or lift weights. How about the group of guys who are obvious at class together and each one tries to out “grunt” the other? Even more irritating are the class divas.

There are social “norms” to being in a fitness class. Trying not to throw dirty looks at two people chatting about their fresh laundry or baby bottles, or what about the girl who stops midway between workout sets to send a text? Nothing is as annoying as two people chat about the others in the rooms as they do yoga poses.

Not so long ago a cat fight ensued over, of all things, a spot on the floor. First the talking and whispering was okay, then it escalated to loud talk and then it turned into a cat fight. Two women came to class. One woman took a spot on the floor, and the other attendee whispered, “That’s my place.” A verbal argument started and turned physical. The entire session was ruined for everyone. Rude? Yes and thoughtless. Result? They are not friends anymore. Hope they never come back to class.

Recently while in the gym, exercisers were doing lunges and cardio workouts at full speed, but a group of twenty something's ran, giggled, and laughed out loud. Were they laughing about the other patrons? Seemed like they were. The talking got louder as the workout class carried on. Now everyone in the room knows about what a “b… so and so boyfriend is,” the “wonderful sex” from another exerciser, and how someone is just not ready to “move in.” Ick. You don’t go to class to vicariously live through someone else.

The social butterfly who uses the gym as get-together time. They spend work out stretches talking to anyone within shouting distance. Choosing you as a talking partner ruins your focus. The cure? Plug in your MP3 player or headphones and zone out. If you put your headphones on, you are signaling you are not in the mood to talk. Mentally check out and hint to others that you are not at class to discuss politics.

The ultimate rude act? The know-it-all person who is a friend of the instructor and corrects all your moves and postures. This happened recently in a yoga class where one of the participants and the yoga instructor were obviously very well acquainted. No attention was paid to the rest of the class unless the “friend” gave her obnoxious advice. The entire time the instructor and his “friend” chatted about their latest dinner date and what they were going to do later. The flirting was obnoxious. One very brave yoga student went up to the instructor, gave him a rude look, and walked out of the class.

Tips for good fitness class etiquette mean staying focused. Leave the technology at the door and restrain from chatting. Fitness class is supposed to be a quiet time. Chatting and joking while in class throws off others’ workouts.