When I was in the Marines, we followed a fluid or natural plan of action. This wasn’t some strict “by-the-book” way of thinking. To the contrary, we were told that we could take a leadership position, when necessary. Plans are a necessity in war and in life. They give one a roadmap towards one’s goals/dreams. It’s important that plans are adjustable and not based upon some theory.
[pullquote]According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one’s plans. ~Sun Tzu[/pullquote]
In fitness, having a plan will enable you to make adjustments as well. It becomes your personal plan to take daily action steps towards short and long term goals. It’s also fluid enough so that you will discover what works for you. Along with a plan you should add a journal (for documentation), knowledge (when needed) and personal advisors (also as needed). Great leaders never went at it alone and neither should you. Make sure to gather the best possible advisors (such as coaches, trainers and so forth) so that your plan is made stronger.
[pullquote]When you do find your why, make it stronger emotionally. When you do that, it may just become a powerful driving factor for you.[/pullquote]For the title I used Fitness Battle Plan. I realize that each of us may have a different take on this. And no, fitness doesn’t have to be a battle. To the contrary, creating a personal mission and instituting the right plan for you is important. Like I described in the second paragraph, you’ll be making adjustments that work for you. Keep in mind that you may have to instill some personal discipline at the beginning in order to make fitness a habit. Also, doing the necessary items to make fitness work for you will take discipline as well. Again, having the right advisors will help keep you on track.
At the beginning of each plan you’re going to need your personal “reason why” you want to get fit. In this case, it has to come from inside. If someone told you that you “have to” get fit, then you may not have enough of a want to move you forward. Heck, being told that you have to do it may backfire. Go inside and find your why, okay?
Designing your battle plan….
1. Look at what fitness activities you’d want to engage in.
This is not a “one size fits all” mentality. Think movement. What physical activities that move your body as often as possible would you do on a regular basis? Things like dancing and playing with your kids count. Yes, you can also do traditional fitness training as well.
2. Have a nutrition plan too.
The foods you eat will be a key component to help your body perform at its best. This include nutrition to help build muscle, burn fat and provide energy. Make sure to adjust what you eat based on your physical activity. If you’re a housewife, you’re not going to need the nutrition of an elite athlete.
3. Create a daily activity sheet where you would fit your workouts and other physical movement.
This may include getting up from your desk every hour and exercise for a quick 5 minutes. If you have to make adjustments due to an unforeseen change, then do it. Nothing is set in stone.
4. Put your plan to paper.
This makes it more real. Build in milestones. You can have a deadline if you’re needing to lose weight or getting fit quickly. I would suggest making your plan a lifestyle one. This would include making continuous improvements. Every 3 months you would look at your baseline fitness. This could be a milestone too. Some people have 30-day plans, 90-day plans or lifetime plans. It’s up to you.
5. Gather your team.
Successful people have others to help support their efforts. This is true in the military, in business and in getting fit. Somewhere between 70-92% of people who have a plan and go it alone, fail.
6. Put your plan into action.
No plan is worth anything if it just sits there gathering dust. It’s only when you do something will you know if it’s going to work for you. This is where mistakes in the plan will show itself and where you go back and make necessary adjustments. From there you create a new plan and take action on that one. It’s a continuous cycle.
I hope this help you to understand. Get out and create that freaking plan, okay? Only then will it start to become real for you. Taking action makes the plan real. JUST DO IT!!
