2007 Exercise Goals

Goal One:
The role I consider most important is to Sharpen Myself because unless I do, I won't be able to achieve the goals in other roles of my life. And in that role, I - like most of the American public - struggle with getting adequate exercise. So in 2007, my goal is to exercise at least 300 minutes each week.

I thought - and calculated - a long time before I settled on 300 minutes. I've set goals for distance, frequency, and even the number of steps - but for me, the issue seems to be about time. For fitness, the recommendation is 30 minutes per day, but I keep hearing friend and colleage Cindy Myer-Morrison's voice saying, 'but if you want to lose weight, you need to exercise 60 minutes per day.'

I want my goal to be realistic - and also to stretch. 60 minutes a day (420 minutes a week) is probably not realistic for my life. But 30 minutes a day (210 minutes a week) won't push me enough - and won't help me drop the 10 or 15 pounds I'd surely love to drop.

So I'm going to shoot for 300 minutes a week which will still push me to do more than I'm currently managing most weeks, but is also doable in chunks of 30, 45, or 60 minutes.

I'm applying William James' formula to make a successful change:
1. Do it flamboyantly! I'm telling the world here!
2. Do it immediately! I've already begun - 46 minutes yesterday and 60 today. And I've set up a spreadsheet in my planner to help me keep track.
3. Make no exceptions! To meet my goal of 300 minutes a week, I need to exercise at least 30 minutes each and every day, or I'll have to make up that time with a lot bigger chunk than I want. No exceptions!

Next week - a partnership goal for my healthy relationship!