I’m sticking to my training plan this time!
My training plan is a contract I make with myself and a guarantee that I will achieve my goals. By
perfectly calibrating my needs and adjusting my fitness programme to my daily life (and not the
other way around), I make sure I won’t be disappointed and that I keep my word. This year, each
training session will be fun, efficient, realistic and above all, absolutely essential. I have planned
everything! It’s time for a tailor-made training plan!
My appointment with myself, the rules of the game
Creating a training plan can be a headache when added to an already busy schedule. I want to avoid
disappointment, so I make sure that each session is written in my calendar in advance. These time
slots will be mine, the times when I take care of myself and my health and do what I need to do to
achieve my goals.
I decide on the number of sessions to plan per week, their duration and content according to my
level, the activities I want to do, and, above all, I keep the rest of my life private and professional, so
that training does not become a constraint.
I give myself rest days to recuperate and I include a ten-minute warm-up and a time for stretching in
my sessions. To deal with any unforeseen circumstances, I can include a “bonus” session per week:
if I have to postpone a training session, it will fit more easily into my schedule. If not? I take
advantage of this to take a breather: the “me” moments in the week are too precious!
I take all the chances I can
Signing this contract is a commitment, but to what exactly? I set clear objectives for my training, if
possible, with numbers and figures to measure my progress. On days when the motivation to put on
my trainers is low, instead of saying “do I want to work out today?”, I rephrase it by replacing “work
out” with “achieve my number one goal”. This change of perspective is certainly enough to motivate
me! All the more so if I train at home without the constraints of transport, and far from the scrutiny
of others.
There’s no pressure, I go at my own pace and adapt my session of the day to my mood. Every
movement counts, as long as I move and do my best, it’s perfect! Little by little, I establish a safe
routine and I progress, in my own time and with optimism.
I look for inspiring coaching videos to feed my workouts. By opting for a series over several weeks,
such as 4 Weeks to Fit- Level 1, on the treadmill, I make regular progress, accompanied by fitness
coaches.
Talking to my family and friends about my training plan is a good idea: I get their support and they
encourage me. They know that I do what I need to do to feel good. Exercise is part of my balance. At
times, I include them in my time slots: my Thursday session turns into a big family walk (and yes, that
counts!).
I’ve got it all figured out: my sessions for the “off” days
Even if I stick to my commitment, I plan a strategy for the “off” days at the beginning of the
programme. I list the excuses I could give for not exercising and I pick a session from the iFIT library
to deal with each eventuality. Here are the most common ones:
● I’m tired or a bit sore: I opt for an energising yoga session or stretching.
● I don’t have time to do my full 35-minute session today: it’s the perfect day to start HIIT! In
less than 15 minutes, I burn as many calories as I would by running for 30 minutes.
● I’m not in the best of spirits: I’m off to the edge of the world for a getaway session.
Immersed in the heart of the Amazonian forest, my worries melt away and I even forget that
I’m exercising.
● I’m bored, always doing the same run, the same rhythm, the same movements: I try a brand
new activity. Why not kickboxing? It’s great for strengthening my muscles (and for letting off
steam). Then I look for new exercises to incorporate into my training plan.
All I have to do is start!
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