There is no manual to life. Where you go and how you get there are entirely up to you. Goal setting is a tool that helps you get what you want out of life. It’s that simple but not always simple to begin…
Once you set the goals and set off organizing your time to achieve them, one thing will flow into the next and soon you will be crossing it off your list!
Because I knew that I wanted to be a dancer early in life, goal setting came natural for me. I was mostly concerned with landing dance jobs and I believe that because I was always peering into the future, my career was abundant and seemed to never end. I made a conscious choice to stop performing and it was no longer on my list.
I have carried this attitude with me in the last ten years and find that each year my Pilates and GYROTONIC studio reaches new heights, as I set goals for it. I am now focussed solely on the studio and more so on GYROTONIC training and it too seems to be a continuous and exciting feat. Each year gets more exciting than the last. I went from being the only trainer to a staff of ten, retail, massage room, group classes and I have not lost site of what is to come. I want to share this to encourage you all to literally reach for the stars and you will be surprised at how much you will receive when you simply ask for it; set the goal and go for it! I never imagined that Mind Your Body Pilates & GRYOTONIC would carry through this long, as the start in 1995 seems so long ago.
What are your goals? How do you go about achieving them? What do you find difficult? What seems natural or easy?
If you could have just three things in life, what would they be??????? Are you happy in your job? If you could be what you want to be, what would that be? Are you doing what you love? Is there another “calling” for you?
I am sure if you answered any of the above questions, it would help readers achieve their wildest dreams! Thank you for sharing~
In Good Health,
Gail
Goal setting is really essential no matter what you want to do, whether it be baking cakes, or building a house. In fitness it is even more important!!I have recently worked as a motivational fitness coach. I worked with clients to build a plan and set realistic goals to strive for in their workout routines. You create a plan that takes you through with baby steps, that way you are always moving forward and stepping closer to your final reward! Small accomplishments are just as important as large ones and really help you to stay positive and on track. Staying healthy should be part of your everyday life. If you can focus enough energy on that you will feel better, look better, and best of all hopefully have peace of mind and happiness!!
Gail’s asked me to write some pointers about nutrition as I’m studying to become a Registered Dietitian and a lot of my clients have expressed some concerns/interest in proper eating habits and good choices.
A lot of this you’ve probably heard but it’s always great to reinforce.
Breakfast is a must. So are carbohydrates. So is fat. Lean protein, fruits, veggies, and whole grains should be incorporated into your diet on a daily basis.
A lot of hype and super diets come up in the news and all I can recommend is that you consider the source. The title “nutritionist” carries weak credentials. The America Dietetics Association does not reserve a definition as they only consider those who are Registered Dietitians holding a BS or MS in nutrition. A “nutritionist” is anyone one of us who considers himself or herself an expert. When you read articles, get emails about fad diets and the new way to lose 10 lbs in 2 days, don’t buy in. Unless the author sports the letters RD after their name, there’s nothing but a purge in front of you that will only make you gain it back, if not more in the end.
On that note, I’m still not an RD YET, so I’m going to keep it simple.
Follow the Food Guide Pyramid…
6-11 servings of whole grain, rice, bread, or cereal
3-5 vegetables
2-4 fruits
2-4 lean protein
2-3 dairy
DAILY
Servings are small. Whole foods are best. Juices are often filled with added sugars and only contain the juice of a fruit. The fiber comes from the whole fruit and is just as important as the vitamins and minerals therein.
Just like the pool rules, you shouldn’t eat any sooner than an hour before you exercise. A small snack-a handful of raw nuts, a piece of fruit, or raw green, leafy vegetables are great pre-workout choices.
After a workout, try to eat within the half hour. A small portion of lean protein, ie hard boiled eggwhites, 3 oz chicken breast, 1/2 an avocado, or those raw nuts again are good post workout choices.
Fats are important. Olive oil is good for your skin as well as a lubricant to keep food moving through your system.
As great as juicing with a juicer can be, it does deplete fiber, so try and take the leftovers and add them to your favorite pasta sauce or soup recipes.
Try to eat fresh foods and only prepare enough for single servings. Leftovers don’t provide the same satiety as just cooked foods and leave us wanting more.
The cardinal rule is water, water, and more water. Every day I wake up and drink a warm 8oz glass with lemon and I finish my day the same way as well as drinking as much as I can throughout the day. We NEED 64oz a day, but for every cup of coffee, serving of protein, or 15 minutes of cardio we need 8 more ounces.
If you’re feeling hungry and have already snacked and snacked, just pour yourself a glass, chance are you’re just thirsty.
Be well:)
Rachel
I’ve found goal setting to be important, not just in the big things, like setting my life goals, but also in the small details of my physical life. I’m only consistent with my own fitness, or with meditation, eating habits, or in taking care of myself, when I set clear daily and weekly goals. It’s like creating a map for the kind of life I’d like to have. Time management and clarity over my schedule is fundamental to reaching my larger (and smaller) goals.
I also find that I have to set goals on a day to day basis in order to live the way I desire. This is sometimes a challenge for me as consistency is hard in a very fast-changing city such as New York! I welcome those challenges or obstacles in my daily routine, however, because they make accomplishing my goal that much more rewarding. As a Pilates instructor and professional dancer sometimes my schedule feels like it is all over the place. I try to never let myself miss a workout or a dance class and I have to force myself to go to bed early. It is also challenging to maintain a balanced diet when you are running around all of the time. Thank you Rachel for your nutritional insight! I pack my lunch whenever I can and make healthy choices when eating out. Without making these small goals for myself each day my health and sanity would probably be a mess. I encourage everyone at MYB to let go of the excuses and always make your health and wellness a priority in your everyday life!
I have been thinking a lot about goal setting lately… how timely to come across this as the current blog topic!
I also was involved in dance at a young age and found that goal setting was naturally incorporated into my life. Whether it be dance, school, career aspirations, even vacations - I have always set goals and planned out how to reach them. Without a doubt, I think this discipline has helped to shape who I am today. However, one thing I have never been great at, and am really focusing in on these days, is to enjoy the journey along the way. I think many times I concentrate on the end result and don’t allow myself to appreciate the smaller victories along the way. But I am working on this… (uh oh - another goal I guess!) Having quit dancing years ago, my figure is just not the same. When I began taking classes at Mind Your Body, Upper East Side Pilates & GYROTONIC last October, I set out wanting to reclaim that dancer’s body. Well, I am definitely not there yet… but I am concentrating on really enjoying the strength, flexibility, and alignment that I have developed. I love walking out of class feeling two inches taller. And I am learning to appreciate how much taking the time to do pilates has made me healthier mentally, as well as physically. I might not ever get that “dancer’s body” back…but that’s ok…I have gained so much more in the process.
health, wellness, prevention….. it all adds up. A little can go a long way and consistency can add years to your life.
Enjoying the journey is where all the fun is. I stopped dancing five years ago and thought I could start eating unhealthy things….NOT!
25 lbs later, I made a drastic change and went back to curbing the junk. Pilates is definitely the key but eating properly and adding
a routine to your exercise week 4-5 times a week will keep your bod in dancer pilates class shape! Thanks for blogging! -gail
Sara definitely has a point in saying that we often do not enjoy the journey of setting and achieving goals. We feel it necessary to set them, but almost out of obligation. I try to work on goals that are realistic. Often in areas of my life that I really know I will improve! It is a balance between setting goals that we must, and setting goals that we want to achieve! It is a daily struggle for me, that I try to conquer bit by bit! I live in Brooklyn, travel all around NYC teaching exercise and Pilates and work at a Pilates studio on the upper east side. This is all a challenge at times but Yoga and Pilates keeps it all in check.