I believe in the power of intention.
I look to my vision board as source of motivation and inspiration.
I turn to my gratitude board as reminder of all I have.
At long last I’ve launched a manifestation journal.
I have a personal mission statement.
I’ve revamped my blog’s mission statement.
I possess a carefully crafted spiritual mission statement.
The Child and I created a family mission statement.
The older I get, however, it’s clear none of the above work if I’m not simultaneously healthy-in-body.
If I don’t concurrently have a fitness mission statement.
around here #wycwyc works.
Confession: I’ve neglected my Fitness Mission Statement.
I’m not busy — it simply hasn’t been a priority.
I knew I could remain (relatively) fit by virtue of my day-to-day responsibilities. I coasted on the fact my life was active enough I didn’t need to make time to “identify my why” and create a plan.
Spoiler alert: I desperately need a plan.
Lately, instead of gratitude for bursts of fitness in my day, I long for clear intention with regards to healthy living.
A return to having a mission statement.
What is a Fitness Mission Statement?
A Fitness Mission statement is a declaration of purpose. It’s an answer to the questions Why are we here? What’s the point? written with the backdrop of what you value in life.
A Fitness Mission Statement contains words with action goals. Phrases which are quantifiable not vague.
A Fitness Mission Statement (like all aspects of healthy living) requires trial & error. Crafting one can be slow, but the result is something which motivates/inspires *every time* it’s read.
Is a Fitness Mission Statement my workout routine?
A Fitness Mission Statement is not an exercise plan. Nowhere in your statement do you commit to X race on Y day or plan to shed X pounds by Y date.
Fitness Mission Statements help plan routines to achieve goals. The F.M.S. is the umbrella underneath which we place our specifics (goals/programs).
A statement might read: To live a long, active, healthy life extolling the power of play and practicing what I preach. From there one would choose approach/activity for achievement.
A well written statement provides clues to answer the question: What approach to healthy living should I select? Are your goals endurance? Does your statement mention flexibility? Do you prefer to focus on gaining strength/power?
How to craft a Fitness Mission statement?
- Be brief. Mine is 8 words. You might create an acronym. Others write sentences. Learn what works best for you and keep it clear and concise. Start by brainstorming words which describe how you like to move your body and how you feel when you do so.
- Explore core values. It can help to reflect upon where you’ve started and challenge yourself to (honestly and realistically) define where you want to go and what you’re willing to do to get there.
- Ask yourself: Why am I here? The next time you choose to move your body pose this question to yourself. Consider what prompted you to commit to exercise that day/what your end-goals are. Clarity about where you are going is the surest way to achieve success.
- Identify focus (e.g: leadership, improved overall health, increased strength). Consider/define who you aspire to be in the fitness realm of your life. A lean, mean machine? A more calm, centered you? A role model? A coach? Be specific.
- What would the *ideal* end result look like? Remember, this is your ideal. Not the ideal society tries to tell us we want. No musturbation.
- Be positive. Do not include things you dislike about yourself. Seize negative urges/thoughts (I hate my fat thighs and stomach) and turn them inside out (CrossFit will give me the leg muscles I desire).
- Include how healthy habits/behaviors will impact relationships. Through the practice of yoga I will release stress more easily. This will help me manage work pressure and relationship dynamics.
- Create a statement which is in harmony with personal mission statement if you have one (I will walk consistently and as a result be more patient, lower my blood pressure and be increasingly present throughout my day). Be certain all values are in alignment.
The next step is to start designing and be patient.
For me creating a statement required writing, putting away/waiting, rereading/tweaking and only after that did I experience a Yes! This is it!! moment.
I’d crafted a phrase so ‘right’ it energizes me on days I’d rather slack than workout.
F.M.S. inspires on days when I look like this.
Now you:
- Do you have a Fitness Mission Statement?
- If not, what might your 2018 Fitness Mission Statement say?
Bea says
January 3, 2018 at 5:08 amI am all over the place when it comes to my fitness. I need to do something or else 2018 will be like 2017.
Kjell H Kjellevold says
January 14, 2018 at 8:00 amOverweight is a huge problem in western countries and it´s very important to find a way to reduce weight. Your article is informative and comes up with good ideas how to improve in 2018. I have interest in training and weight loss. That is a complicated issue as you can see in my article:
https://kjellsblog.com/overweight-is-a-complicated-issue/
Wendy says
January 3, 2018 at 6:38 amI”ve never had a formal fitness mission statement, but upon reflection, my reasons for running and working out have changed over the years. Currently, I’m running away from old age and RA. Works for me!
Marcia says
January 3, 2018 at 7:10 amGreat food for thought! I never had a formal fitness mission statement before. I initially embraced fitness and a healthy lifestyle to “run away” from a genetic predisposition for heart disease. I continue to workout for that reason but my mission has evolved to include embracing a sense of adventure and challenge.
Susan Bonifant says
January 3, 2018 at 9:12 amA while back, I tied daily exercise to my daily writing. I used the time when I was in my workout to shape my fiction ideas. It really worked, because to miss the exercise was to feel sluggish about my writing and to feel great about a workout was to feel energized about the page.
I like that you’ve suggested true mindfulness about whatever fitness level we seek, and that the mission of fitness should be about who we are, and not just a task we need to get out of the way.
Sabra of Great Green Heron says
January 3, 2018 at 12:47 pmI have a really weird fitness mission statement- to have a 26-inch waist. It’s a number that’s better than a mass weight as that fluctuates according to my muscle mass. But 26 is a good goal for me.
messymimi says
January 3, 2018 at 6:18 pmDon’t have one, probably (assuredly) need one. Needing to guard my health would be a big part of it, there is so much that seems to want to wear me down and keep me down.
cherylann says
January 4, 2018 at 8:52 amNope- never had nor will have a mission statement regarding “fitness”- whatever that means. 47th year of running and 36th year of participating and training for triathlons. Just for fun- because work is work and working out is what keeps be sane and NOT work! N
Rena says
January 4, 2018 at 10:14 amWhat a great idea. I’m working on quitting smoking now after that is becoming more active so that I can be healthy for as long as I’m here.
Patrick says
January 5, 2018 at 8:38 amBrilliant!
I created mine, its up on facebook, twitter, …
https://twitter.com/Rspnsblty199/status/949284453658046464
Thanks Carla!
Jody - Strong and Sassy at 60 says
January 6, 2018 at 12:23 pmNot statement here but as you know, it is just part of my life BUT changes with time & age & life… it is what works for me at any given moment in time & by works for me, I mean ME! 🙂 I have people try top get me to join challenges – not! Even push-ups I love. I am not doing 100 per day if it affects my personal workout for me… and definitely things have changed with age!
Abel says
January 20, 2018 at 3:38 amhonestly getting to the gym is not meant for those over weight like many of us would think. it all about staying healthy and not aging up so fast but the main problem is time for most if us including me.
i personally have a mission statement regarding “fitness” and since i have less time on my hands due to the fact that i have to travel two hours to and two hours daily from work, i have decided to create my own gym in the house so that i can train in my own specific time.