Do I need a goal?

There is no denying that Australia is going through an obesity epidemic. But what are YOU doing to fight it? The government is only going to do so much. At some point you are going to have to make that conscious decision to start...and never look back!

I can see how jumping head first into this fitness world can or could be frightening for new and old players. 

There is a huge level of  pressure to fit a "fitness" mold. Are you a body builder? Are you a fitness competitor? Are you a power lifter? Maybe you are a marathon runner? Wait...maybe you don't want to be any of those things. Perhaps you just simply want to lose weight and be fit. 

Well guess what? You can.

What you need to find is a reason and drive to create a goal. This is what those in the molds have that makes most of us go, "but it's so easy for you ". They make it look easy because they have the drive to achieve their goal. Given the choice, if they weren't competing and could work out later in the day just about all fitness competitors would happily sleep in over waking early and hitting the gym. But they do it because of their drive to achieve their goal!

I'm always talking about goals, and that is because goals have more to do with fitness than anything else, it's the lynch pin that everything else hangs off. Training styles and diet revolve around those goals. 

So if your goals are simple and do not fall into the fitness sport category how does this effect you? 

Diet will be less strict, but make sure it's healthy. Some people think healthy foods are flavor less and boring. Just ask my wife, this is not the case. I'm constantly making tacos, pizza, burgers and monster salads that put fast food equivalents to shame and they are packed FULL of healthy veg , protein  and carbs!

Simple goals may also have you only training 3-4 times a week. That's fine too. Even better you can really mix it up, cardio, weights, classes or whatever takes your fancy. Many competitors cannot mix it up so much, they must stick to a tried and tested routine to maximize muscle and minimise fat.

And the other thing that your goal may determine its who you train with and "hang out with" fitness related. If you are wanting to become a bodybuilder you probably shouldn't train with someone who is not aligned with that goal. the same goes for those looking to stay generally fit, don't train with a marathon runner or a fitness competitor, if you can help it. They will stifle your results as much as you can stifle theirs!

Also you might find that you only need to take a few tips and info bits from those in the sport side of fitness that will fit your goal. Don't use "Gremlin Rules" if they don't fit your goal... What's a Gremlin Rule? They are,"don't eat___ after___" rules that certain people live by it can be diet related mostly but can also span into exercises as well. 

So don't think that goals are only just for those super serious about the sport side of fitness, find yours and use it to make better food and lifestyle decisions NOW and don't look back!!