The quintessential question someone always has to ask me when I’m working out: So, what are you training for? My reply? Life.
Yes, it isn’t interesting. One day I just might make up something like, to be a professional bull rider, but for now, life will do. See, something happens when you get the focus off of a darn scale. I haven’t owned one in over 5 years (wearing a bikini every day & skinny jeans are the best, true scale around). But, when you shift the focus on training from losing weight to training to be healthier and live longer, it’s a relief, and tends to have good results. You love feeling your heart pump, sweating, and moving, not simply to burn calories but you begin to realize how great being active and taking care of yourself feels.
Now, to completely contradict myself, I recently began actually training for something – not a number on a scale- but an event, and man it makes you sub consciously kick things up a notch.
I’m doing a triathlon in Lanai at the end of October (yes I am seriously contemplating what bikini I should wear for the swimming part), and just having a goal and finish line makes me want to wake up in the morning and go for a run, do the extra bike ride, or hop in the ocean for an extra swim…even after surfing.
So, if you need something to train for other than just life and being healthy, might I suggest finding a local event, and training your butt off to complete it the best that you can. Find events on active.com, or join a local kickball, flag football, or tennis league. Heck sign up for dance classes or Jui-Jitsu. Anything. Find a goal and something to train for…other than looks. It’s a great change of perspective your body will thank you for later.