New Year's isn't the only time to set new goals - start now circa Sept. 6-12, 2012; Seminole Chronicle

     It's the month of September and I've set another goal. Setting fitness goals aren't just for the new year, after all. Goal setting can be done anytime, changed often or adjusted - bringing it back to life. 
     Sometimes we reach a plateau with our exercise program, we become bored, our goal doesn't motivate us anymore or we've reached that specific goal. 
     After years of running through the streets of Oviedo and visiting the gym, I was bored, unmotivated and needing something more. Last summer, while on a long weekend run, I remember thinking "Where am I running to? Why am I running?" I felt like I was running without a cause. 
     I thought about how much I enjoy flipping through the pages of fitness magazines reading all about the female body-building competitors, the different divisions - bikini, figure, fitness - and staring at their amazing physiques, dreaming of competing like them one day.
     That same summer I stopped dreaming and began training for my first bodybuilding event: the 2011 NPC Daytona Beach Classic. I was hooked. So much so, I competed in another event this past April.
     Since April's event ended, I found myself frequenting the gym and running less often as well as eating poorly. 
     Once again, I struggled with what will keep me motivated enough to continue with my workout routine. I trained for a couple different goals thinking they may spark a new interest: power walking a marathon and a stair race. Neither of those motivated me as much as what I find to be the most enjoyable and rewarding - a competition. 
     I am currently training for my third event. if all goes well, I hope to be on stage - the same  stage where this all began one year ago this month. I have a purpose again for driving to the gym. 
     Try beginning your new goal by purchasing a small notebook and carry it with you to the gym. Inside the first page, write your goal, the date you're staring and a target date you hope to achieve that goal. 
     If your goal is to lose weight or change your physique, I recommend you take before pictures: front, side and back. In three weeks, take new pictures, adding those to your notebook for extra motivation. 
     Write down your beginning weight and measurements of your chest, waist, hips, thighs and arms. 
     The following pages of the notebook include your exercise plan, the type of cardio you performed, and how you felt that day. 
       I usually give myself a week or two of really pushing myself to work out, ignoring all my excuses. I find once I get through those first two weeks. I can get through the next month and so on. 
     Start a new goal right away and don't give up! You'll feel a sense of accomplishment. Begin to see changes you love as you move on to feeling stronger and healthier.! 

Tips summarized: 
* Set a new goal any time throughout the year.
* Stay motivated by doing something you enjoy.
* Keep track of your progress with photos and measurements.
* Write a daily exercise plan.
* Give it time. Hang in there, especially in the beginning when it's the hardest.