It’s January. If you consume social media in any form, I’m sure whether you like it or not, you’ve been exposed to various “new year, new you” types of posts. It’s the posts and advertisements where businesses prey on people’s insecurities making them believe that whatever product or service they are selling is what’s been missing to make them truly happy and typically marketed as helping them “look their best”. I’d love to believe that everyone also wants their consumers to feel their best, but I’m not naive to think that that is always the case.

A few weeks ago, a newer client and I had a conversation about what her goals were. She instantly told me, “well, I need to lose 30 lbs”. As a coach that practically never discusses weight loss with clients, it was an interesting and sensitive conversation for me to navigate for both of us. My first thought was, “where the heck did that number come from?”, quickly followed by a reminder to her that although her body composition may change through working out, it doesn’t necessarily mean the results will be weight loss.

I’ll save the more nitty-gritty details of my thoughts on weight for a separate post, but I’ll touch on it briefly here now. People seem to get a number in their mind that they should weigh, and then become fixated on the number and instead of moving their bodies or creating other health habits & routines to feel good, it only becomes for that one singular goal and number on the scale. Oftentimes, unhealthy habits can form as they strive to reach that number.

For me, fitness has always been about more than my appearance. Heck, I even wrote about it back in February 2020 here. We can move our bodies for more reasons than just to change how we look physically.

Here are some other amazing reasons to move your body that have nothing to do with your appearance:

Improved sleeping habits
Improved mood & energy levels
Improved confidence to be able to execute physically demanding tasks or activities
Feeling strong to execute tasks of daily living - walking your dog, going up stairs, playing with kids/grandkids with ease
Improved mental health - I struggled with a lot more anxiety over the years and movement was the one thing that made me feel so much better

So if you decide to set goals or intentions this year around movement, exercise, or anything else related to health and wellness, remember that those goals can be much more fulfilling than simply striving to get to a certain number on the scale. Some examples include:

Setting a routine to get three movement sessions in a week
Improving your mobility and range of motion
Going for a walk and getting outside every day (or as many days as possible)
Joining a class or a recreational sport - equal parts fun and social!
Signing up for a race, trying to run for the first time (hello couch-to-5km friends!)
Meal prepping or having more home-cooked meals
Establishing a better sleep routine including a proper wind-down routine

When it comes to setting goals or intentions, I’ve shifted my thought process in the last few years. I first focus on how I want to feel rather than the outcome right away. I then work backwards to create a healthy routine to get me feeling that way. It not only helps us to appreciate so many other things beyond the end goal, but it also allows you to appreciate the process. You’re more likely to create sustainable habits when you can recognize what went into getting those end results and feelings, rather than just rushing to get to a finish line that may not be sustainable over time.

Yours in self-discovery,
Rachel

What kinds of goals are you setting for yourself?