I need help to find a fitness goal/suggestions....

[naughtyorouttacontrol]

I want to find a actual goal, not just getting fit, but something I would have achieved at the end.

I have never been a great runner, but the suggestions I have heard so far are doing half marathons, so that way I am raising money for chairty and I have to stick to it.

I'm not so keen on that idea but wondering if there is anything else like that that will give me a goal and keep me motivated?

One thing I really want to do is pole fitness, but I do not see the goal in that other then making sure I finish the 6week course, but its only 6 weeks and not a very long term goal...

Any suggestions welcome...

What do you think about trying kickboxing/martial arts and getting your belts?

Or a sprint triathlon in six months time?

What exercise do you enjoy? That has to be the first thing, if you hate something, such as running, it's very unlikely you will stick to it. Do you hope to particularly lose wright, get stronger?

I'd recommend a sprint triathlon. I did one about 5 years ago, something mad to aim for! Got hooked on it. Now do triathlon, duathlon plus half marathons! Alternatively a 10k run? Lots on the cancer research website

Thank you for the ideas, I like the idea of martial arts, I think i will look into that one.

I have never been a great runner and always found it hard, but I dont think I have ever tried hard enough, I have never made a running plan or anything.

I am going to try running, my dd is very keen for me to do this and she said she will help me by coming out on her bike to the park she is only 4 and she wants to be my persoanl trainer.

I want to exercise to loose weight and get healthy.

I started kickboxing a couple of months ago and absolutely love it, it's a great workout, but you also really have to concentrate on learning how to do things correctly and also think about what your partner might do if you are sparring (tho it is non or very light contact where I go) so it makes it much more interesting than churning out the miles or minutes on a machine. Punching the c**p out of pads or a bag gives you a great rush and I leave the class exhausted but on a real high.

I also run 2-3 times a week and it has been a battle as I used to hate it. I still couldn't really say I love most runs, but I love the way it makes me feel and the results I can see physically! I now have this weird compulsion to keep getting out there . Doing both keeps things interesting and I think they compliment each other well as running is usually steady state cardio but the kickboxing more like interval training.

Good luck

I would definitely recommend martial arts of some sort. find a good club and you should have no problem keeping motivated, both because it's great fun and because a decent instructor won't let you. The gradings and, if you fancy it, competitions, also give you regular goals to achieve.

It's also good for making new friends.

Did I mention it's fun.

Yes, loads of fun, DH and two of the DC's are doing it too (dc3 too small but he tries to practice at home....although he's not quite grasped the non-contact aspect yet we fear for his nursery buddies!) DH and I just had a short session with pads in the garden-neighbours think we are very odd

Thank you all for the messages, I am going to try out some martial arts classes and kickboxing classes so that I can find out what I enjoy.

What martial art are you all doing?

sleepwhen - do you take the dc's to the class with you? Or do they do seperate classes? I think I heard before that there can be classes where adults and dc's can go together...

What about something with your baby/kids? Hike up a mountain with a baby carrier on your back or something like that? I'm really into family and fitness all going together.

No they do separate classes, groups are split age 3-6, 7-14 and then adult.

Tbh I don't see how kids and adults would get a proper lesson if they were taught together. They do run some classes alongside each other in the dojo on the weekend though and of course the basic techniques are the same so it's nice to be able to help DC's practice at home.

The kids classes do a bit on dealing with bullies (adults a bit of self defence) and where adults do fitness training (push ups, sit ups etc) the kids play games like stuck in the mud or obstacle courses which have the same effect . Punching and kicking pads they teach the same techniques.