I’m going to let you in on my dirty little secret. I’m a bit very scattered when it comes to fitness goals, or any goals for that matter. It’s not that I lack goals, it’s the exact opposite…I usually have way too many on the go. In a matter of a few weeks I’ll decide I’m going to finally make it past that 15th push-up, teach myself to kneel unsupported on a stability ball while doing lateral dumbbell raises, run 5K and learn to play tennis. They are usually fairly lofty goals, so of course I don’t always succeed or I have to shelve them for a later date…ahem running. But some of the time I do hit the mark – six pull-ups in a row thank you very much.

This week the one-legged squat has caught my attention. The strength, balance and sheer determination required for a successful one-legged squat is much too tempting for me to resist. And what a party trick! Dropped you pen? Let me just lower my body down to the floor on one leg and pick that up for you.

Ok so I have had this goal before. It was about eight months ago, which was way too soon for my first attempt, but I quickly realised that and set it aside for later. This time around I’m starting slow, using a stability ball between my back and the wall to help make sure I don’t collapse in a twisted heap. I can’t get down to 90 degrees for more than one just yet, but I can do about 12 part way. And I will continue to add single leg squats to my routine each week until I can do two, then three, and one day maybe even 10.

The reason I think it’s a good idea to set goals both big and small (even though things don’t always work out in my favor) is I need something to get excited for.  There is no better feeling than suceeding at something I set out to do, especially if I wasn’t really sure I could do it.

If you set a lot of goals for yourself, chances are you’ll reach at least one. And once you do there’s another one waiting to be chased.

crystals staying inspired, women's fitness, working out muscle, working out