Why Treadmilling in Front of the TV Won't Hack It


Athletes train. Action stars train. Super heroes train. You, however, are still just working out.

If you don't have any specific fitness goals other than avoiding cellulite, fitting into those skinny jeans might be farther away than you think. Those countless hours of sweating, running, panting, spinning, boxing and basically killing yourself might be worth diddly squat if you haven't developed a specific training program. It's time to sweat like a man.

Those rock-hard abs won't come for free, sister.
 

A Girl Needs a Plan
 
Think about it. In every other area of your life you have a plan. Whether it’s throwing a kick-ass dinner party or elbowing your way to the top in your career. Why, then, should your workouts be any different? Stop flirting with your hot spinning instructor and make a freakin' fitness plan already.
 
The first step is to ask yourself a very important question: what is it that you want to be able to do?

Do you want to run faster? Jump higher? Lose weight? Put on muscle? Put your legs behind your head during sex?
 
No matter what you want to do you can train your way to get there. And it's a lot easier than you think.

Get Organized, Get a Calendar and Get off the Couch
 
Pick one goal. What’s one thing you want to be able to do right now that you can’t? Whether it’s touching your toes or doing a triathlon, define what it is. Simply saying, “I want to run far,” doesn’t hack it. Are we talking one mile? Fourteen? Be specific.

Do a fitness test. In order to really know how to train, you have to know the level you are at right now. It's fitness test time! If you want to run a 5k in 12 weeks without stopping, you need to know how far you can run today without stopping. Go out and try it. How far can you go? How did you feel when you were done? Could you have done more? Should you have stopped earlier?

Work backwards. Take the results from your fitness test and simply work backwards. If you want to run a 5k but you’re only able to run 3/4 of a mile today, then you know how much you have to improve each week to arrive at your goal on time. It's basic math.

Write down your plan. Look at your calendar and pick a date by which your fitness goal should be accomplished. Choose a date that is within six to 12 weeks. Mark it on your calendar in big, fat, red ink. That date is now what you're working towards in every training session.

Research. GIYF= Google Is Your Friend. Use the power of the mighty interwebs and investigate training ideas, videos, online resources, local groups, healthy tips and more.

Think positive and visualize. Close your eyes and see your body rocking it. What does it look like to see yourself climbing to the top of that huge mountain? What does it feel like? If you can't see it, it won't happen. End of story.

Think like an athlete. Looking at your training plan, what could you add to make it more complete? Are you getting in proper amounts of strength training, cardio training and flexibility work? Don't get so obsessed with your single goal that you fail to create a balanced program. For me, the more miles I run, the more time I get my ass to yoga to improve flexibility. When creating a running training plan, I make sure I go to two yoga classes a week. You're not going to love every piece of training, but it's about doing what you have to do to get to your goal.
 
Share your fitness goal! Hit up Facebook, Twitter, put it on the board at work or make it a part of your email signature (okay, that might be pushing it). When you tell the world what you have set out to do, it makes you accountable and gets you the support you need. Having loved ones cheer you on will inspire you to keep pushing when your training sucks. Best part? Sharing your goal is how you inspire others to do the same.
 
Check in. This is big. Check in with yourself every week on the same day. As the training gets more intense, it can also get boring if you let it. What does your body need? Do you need to modify your original goal? Are you getting enough strength work? How is your diet? By checking in with yourself weekly and readjusting your training, you can reach that next level of fitness.
 
Finally...make your goal your bitch. I would love to hear your goals. Tweet them to me @angelaparkerfit and I'll be sure to shout back with tips, tricks and advice on how to achieve any fitness feat.

Do you have a burning fitness question for our guru, or a topic you want her to cover? Let us know in the comments section below!


Angela Parker, Resident Fitness Guru
As the founder of bodyinspiredfitness.com, Angela believes that it’s possible for everyone to live a truly healthy, happy and vibrant life. She recently wrote and published her first book, 90–Days to a Stronger Body & Deeper Connection with Your Daughter, available exclusively on Amazon.com. Angela's unique at-home program encourages mothers to inspire their daughters (ages 7 to 18) to create a lifetime of being fit and healthy.This October, Angela will take on one of her biggest roles on the new MTV Show, "Chelsea Settles."