Setting a goal

Setting a goal

Sitting at the beach

The biggest thing holding people back from entering a walk or run event is confidence

They say: “I’m not fit enough”. “I don’t know if I’ll be good enough”. “I don’t have enough time to train”.

If this sounds like you, I encourage you to:

  • Choose to believe in yourself
  • Choose to make your health a priority. To be the best ‘you’, then you have to take time for ‘you’
  • Choose to commit to training. Then you’ll get stronger and fitter and gain more confidence along the way.

I ‘get’ where people are at with all those common excuses. I haven’t always made the best choices but what I’ve learnt is that everything you do in life is a choice. And I want to inspire you to consciously consider the choices you’re making in all areas of your life.

The only thing holding you back from reaching your health and fitness goals – or any goal in life - is ‘you’. Walking and running are easy and cost-efficient ways to get fit.

My first ever run goal a few years ago was to run a 10km event – with the hope that one day I’d run a half-marathon. The challenge scared me at the time. But if a challenge doesn’t scare you, then I personally think it’s too easy and you aren’t stretching yourself. Challenges should scare you at least a little. This is how change can happen.

Recently I have reset my personal goal to focus on running shorter distances and pick up speed. I recommend reassessing your goals if you are getting bored with your workouts and find yourself lacking motivation. It is inspiring to have something new and exciting to focus on.

Here are some of my top tips below to inspire you to take on your first event, no matter how long or short the distance, or whether you decide to walk to run.

  • Confidence is a choice. Choose ‘you’ and choose to be your best by committing to being fit and healthy.
  • Take action and start the process of walking or running 2-3 times each week. You have to do something more to get better at it. And when you get better, your confidence will grow.
  • Sign up to do an event with a friend, work colleague or family member. You can motivate each other. This will also give you a solid reason to keep turning up to your workouts. You will want to be prepared and proud when you turn up to a start-line.
  • Consider how you are spending your spare time each week. If you are really busy and feel overwhelmed about fitting in workouts, then evaluate where you spend your time and consider what you can drop to fit in this ‘wellness-related and essential me-time’.  I personally find time for fitness by getting up early (before the kids and are awake) and fit in my training this way. That way, no one misses me. I also have no excuses to be anywhere else at that time of day! You might find fitting in a lunch-time walk or run with colleagues the best time. Some parents I know go for a walk or run when their husbands come home from work. Another idea for parents with young kids is to walk or run while their baby or toddler is in a pram. Or the kids can use a scooter or bike in a park to accompany you. Do whatever works best for you, your family and lifestyle.

 

Check out the Cigna Facebook page for more healthy tips, and visit the Cigna Wellbeing Ambassador page for videos and blogs from Rachel.

Rachel is the director of inspiredhealth.co.nz and you can follow her on Facebook or Instagram.

Disclaimer: The health and wellness information on this page is for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for proper medical care provided by a doctor or nurse. Cigna assumes no responsibility for any circumstances arising out of the use, misuse, interpretation or application of any information supplied in the content. For more information, please read our Community Guidelines.