Page 8 - 2018 July Voices

Get SMART-ER About Your Goals!

ERIC HOWARD, CC

Achieving goals can be difficult. Think about I couldn’t do any exercises. Even after the cast
the last goal you set that you didn’t reach. You came off, I was limited to non-weight-bearing
probably had every intention. But, was it really exercises. When I was cleared to start lifting
a goal? Or, was it just a wish or a hope? Those weights again, it felt like I was starting all over.

tend to be too vague. Here’s a tried-and-true way My muscle tone had diminished, and my wrist
of achieving what you want. I’m living proof. was very weak.
Several years ago, I reached a point where I I had a choice. Either I could give up or get
was fed up with feeling flabby, out of shape, and going. I chose to get going. Getting in shape

overweight. I was tired of struggling with chronic had shifted from a “want to” to a “have to.” To
back pain, so I decided to do something about it. regain full use of my wrist, I had to be much
I set a general “target” of going to the gym and more focused and work a lot harder to get back
walking several times a week. in shape.

The first few months were a challenge, but This time, I set specific six-month goals. My
then it started getting easier. After six months I first goal was to strengthen all my muscle groups
“slimmed down” by 20 pounds and developed and lift 70-90 pounds by the third set of each
some decent muscle tone. My back pain was exercise. Secondly, I committed to losing 60

completely gone, too. Then, life happened. I pounds and walking for 20-30 minutes, three
wiped out on a bicycle and broke my wrist while times weekly. Finally, I set a goal to eat healthier
trying to avoid a reckless driver. by eliminating all dairy, processed foods, refined
With my wrist in a cast for several weeks, sugars, and adding additional servings of raw

8 ONE COMMUNITY