7 Habits of Highly Effective Fitness

We are examining effective fitness through the prism of Stephen Covey' infamous "7 Habits of Highly Effective People". 
In Covey's writings, he argues that to be effective in any and all endeavors requires certain habits and ways of thinking.
If you want your fitness regimen to reap results - whether it is a PR, a heavier lift, a longer, healthier life - employing effective habits will help get you there.

Just to review, here are Covey's 7 Habits:

1. Be Proactive
2. Begin with the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw

Habit # 2: Begin with the End In Mind

This Habit should, in my opinion, be #1.  It is based on the principle that things are created twice. First creation is in your mind and the second is in physical reality. Studies suggest that when we visualize our goals and are conscious about them, our full energy and personal talents are activated in order to develop them effectively.
When embarking on a fitness program, you should have a clearly identified goal - and outcome. But these goals need to be concrete, measurable, SMART. (Remember those? Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant & Time-limited).
For example:

• "I want to get stronger", while noble, is not a goal. Stronger is a moving target and there is always more. Getting stronger is a process. 
  • "I want to do an unassisted pull up." Now that is a goal that is achievable... and you'll be getting stronger, too!
• "I want to lose weight": not a goal
  • "I want to drop 20 pounds and 3% body fat." A goal... and an achievable one at that! 

When you embark on a fitness program whether you are a beginner or seasoned veteran, you should know where you want to go. Once that is established, you can develop a road map to get there.
Yogi Berra is credited with a classic:  "If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else".

Begin your fitness regimen with the end in mind. Find a place, a fitness community that will support and drive you. And, by all means find a guru to help. Personal Trainers and Small Group Training will provide the guidance, direction and support when you get lost or stall along your journey.
And you will. We all do.
Dust yourself off, be proactive and begin again with the end in mind.