A fitness journey is a profound exploration of self. It’s about peeling back the layers to understand your motivations, acknowledging your identity, and recognizing where you currently stand. This deep dive into your personal narrative is crucial for aligning your fitness goals with your core values and identity, setting the stage for genuine, lasting change. This post follows Step 1 in our 6 part series.
Know Your Why
Your ‘why’ is the driving force behind your fitness journey, uncovering the deeper motivations that fuel your commitment to change. Often when we lose focus on doing the behaviours required for change, it’s because we’ve lost the connection to why we’re working on those behaviours in the first place.
Reflecting on your ‘why’ involves asking yourself some hard-hitting questions: What do I hope to achieve through this journey? How does improving my fitness align with my overall life goals? What impact will this change have on my personal and professional life? The answers to these questions will not only motivate you but also keep you grounded when the going gets tough.
Who Are You? Identity, Values, and Goals
It’s a lot easier for us to think of our top five music artist, or athletes, but then struggle to communicate our top five core values. Your identity and values play a pivotal role in shaping your fitness journey. They are the essence of who you are and what matters most to you. Recognizing and embracing your identity helps in setting goals that reflect your true self, rather than chasing ideals imposed by societal norms or fleeting trends.
Consider your values and how they relate to fitness. If discipline and perseverance are core values, how do they influence your approach to training and overcoming obstacles? If balance and wellness are important, how do they inform your nutrition and recovery strategies? Aligning your fitness goals with your identity and values ensures that your journey is not just about physical transformation but about enhancing your overall quality of life.
What’s Your Baseline? Where Are You Starting From?
Knowing your starting point is essential for charting a path forward. Your baseline encompasses your current physical condition, including strength, flexibility, and endurance, as well as your mental and emotional readiness to embark on this journey. Assessing your baseline involves a candid evaluation of your fitness level, lifestyle habits, and any health issues that may affect your progress. Refer to Step 1 for more insight here.
This assessment is not about judgment or self-criticism; simply acknowledgment of where you are today. It helps in setting realistic, achievable goals and in tracking your progress over time. Understanding your baseline also aids in customizing your fitness plan, ensuring that it fits to your unique needs, challenges, and aspirations.
Embarking on Your Journey
Remember that this process is about creating a deeper connection with yourself. It’s about setting the foundation for a fitness journey that is as much about personal growth as it is about physical improvement. By knowing your why, acknowledging your identity and values, and understanding your baseline, you equip yourself with the knowledge and insight needed for the transformative journey towards achieving your fitness goals.
Next week will focus on Step 3: Strategize an Action Plan!