Appearance Goals vs. Performance Goals

Who doesn’t want to look better in a bathing suit?  Drop a dress/pant size?  Lose 5 pounds? Have toned muscles?  Just about everyone, right?

I call these “appearance goals.”

There are other goals like running your 1st road race, doing a real push-up, pressing a ____ pound kettlebell, or making it through 3 Boot Camp classes every week.  I call these “performance goals.”

Is it bad to have appearance goals? Absolutely not!

What is important, is to not let these appearance goals dictate your perception of fitness. I’ll admit it, I was guilty of it!  For a year after my daughter was born, my only real fitness goal was to lose 5 more pounds.  I watched what I ate, exercised, blah, blah, blah.  Week after week, I weighed the same amount and couldn’t figure it out. 

In January 2009, we put up a “goal board” at Rethink Fitness.  I wrote down the following goals: 1. Be able to do 5 chin-ups. 2. Run a marathon (it’s been 9 years since my last) and 3. Get my Russian Kettlebell Certification.  Notice my goals did not include losing weight. 

So far, my progress has been great.  I can now do the chin-ups with no problem.  I signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon in October and my long run this week will be 11 miles.  I am improving my kettlebell technique, strength, and even flexibility (which has helped with my running).  Due to a date conflict with the marathon, I probably will have to wait until 2010 for my RKC, but that’s OK because I want to be 100% prepared.

Guess what else has happened while achieving these performance goals?  Yup, I lost those 5 pounds.

I also noticed that one of our other athletes whose 2009 goals included running for 10 minutes straight and performing a perfect kettlebell Turkish get-up has also lost a lot of weight!  (Her video testimonial will be posted soon).  Coincidence?  I don’t think so.

By focusing on achieving these performance goals, my appearance goals were achieved as well.  I know in order to run a good marathon, I have to schedule time for running, eat right, rest, strength train, stretch, and take my vitamins, of course! (http://rethinkfitness.getprograde.com)

If you are struggling with your fitness goals, pick a performance goal and write down everything you will have to do in order to achieve that goal.  A good example of a goal is to be able to make it through three Boot Camp classes per week without having to stop and rest during class.  In order to accomplish this you will have to: 1. schedule time for yourself to take the class! 2. eat well so you have the energy you need to get through the class. 3. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. 4. Get enough sleep to have energy for the class!

For more help on reaching your goals, please see Joe or Melissa at Rethink Fitness.

Melissa Walker, PNP