Girl Jumping by Pixabay member “iamrubenjr”

My Summer Fitness Goals

by Stephanie Nickel

On Monday, June 30, I will be starting a fitness challenge with some of my friends. We will each be choosing personal goals and acting as a cheerleader for the others.

So, here are my goals, how I plan to achieve them, and my motivation:

Food and Drink

• Drink more water.
• Choose a smoothie rather than iced coffee or a frappe when getting a treat at the local cafe.
• Eat more veggies and fruit.
• Try two or three new healthy recipes per week.
• Restrict dessert—other than fruit—to one meal two days per week. (I would like to reduce this to one treat per week by the end of the summer.)

Physical Activity

• Walk five to seven times per week for at least 15 minutes. (The plan is to up this to 30 minutes per day by the end of the summer.)
• Pop in one of my exercise DVDs and work out for 30 minutes two to three times per week. Since I will be taking my camera with me on many of my walks, I won’t likely get a solid block of cardio.
• Do a full-body resistance workout three times per week.

Why I Want to Work Out

Since attending this year’s Write Canada conference, I realize even working out and getting fit are among life’s sandcastles. (See my blog post Strawberries and Sandcastles for more info.)

Even so, there are some good reasons to pay attention to my health.

1. I want to set a good example for my family and others who look to me for encouragement.

2. Self-discipline is a very good thing. If I am successful in the areas of eating well and exercising, it is bound to spill over into other areas as well.

3. I’m not getting any younger. While no amount of exercising will eliminate all of the challenges of getting older, it goes a long way to making the aging process more bearable.

4. The summer weather plus lack of exercise—not to mention less than stellar eating habits—have made me lethargic. Napping has seemed particularly tempting of late. Physical activity and readily-metabolized foods will help me be more alert.

5. Along with giving me more energy, an increased level of fitness will allow me to think more clearly. I’m sure my clients will appreciate it if I stay sharp while editing and writing for them.

6. It will be nice to drop some pounds. (I’m aiming for 20 in the next three months.) But more importantly, I want to lose inches and become more toned.

7. Practically speaking, if I need to buy new clothes, I want to do so because I am losing weight and becoming more toned, not because I’ve added fat.

Perhaps My #1 Motivation for Getting Fit

Although it isn’t as predominant as it used to be, I do have a sweet tooth. Even more disconcerting than the weight gain are the emotional ramifications. I can sit at my computer and feel the agitation building for no other reason than the consumption of something high in sugar.

Tweetable    I can’t wait to say good-bye to the sugar-induced negativity.

What is your #1 fitness goal for the summer?

 Other Health & Fitness articles by Stephanie Nickel

6 Reasons People Exercise

Gentle Workout

Should I or Shouldn’t I?

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Steph Beth Nickel is an author, a freelance editor and writer, a labour doula, and a former personal trainer. She’d love to connect with you on Facebook or Twitter, on her website or blog.