The mission statement: putting pen to paper can help you focus on your fitness goals

American Fitness, March-April, 2003 by Julie A. Maddock

Like most people, I watched Jerry Maguire because Tom Cruise was in it. However, something besides Tommy caught my attention--the mission statement." The ramifications of what Cruise's character wrote caused a major upheaval in his professional and personal life, changing the way he lived and loved. This concept intrigued me. If I wrote a mission statement regarding my fitness aspirations, would it propel me to reach those goals? I had to try it.

What an experience! Not only the visual effect of reading my mission statement, but also the time spent writing and analyzing my goals was an amazing incentive to get busy--the "kick in the butt" I needed. Since we all experience bouts of discouragement, setbacks or just plain laziness now and then, why not write your own mission statement. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

1. Don't make it long. The final piece should be more impressive in its clarity than literary genius. Simply outline your goals in order of importance, then list the steps needed to achieve them. For example, if you enjoy running but also tend to procrastinate, schedule the exact days and times you will run. With your mission defined in writing, you have another psychological reinforcement to spur you to adhere to a regular routine.

2. Remember, this is your mission statement, not Janet Jackson's. She may be able to grunt through 400 sit-ups a day, but are you really going to stick to that? Do you even want to? Set specific, yet realistic, goals. A realistic goal is one you can attain with some self-discipline and exertion, but not to unhealthy extremes. When embarking on a new fitness regimen, consult your doctor for his or her recommendations.

3. Review your mission statement regularly and update it at least twice a year. Examine areas that need work and commend yourself for the goals attained. Celebrate your success--tell a friend at the gym or treat yourself to a new pair of cross-trainers.

So, without further ado, I humbly present my fitness mission statement in the hopes of encouraging you to write your own.

My Mission Statement

I write this personal fitness manifesto in hopes that reading it monthly will encourage, reproach and inspire me to follow my walking schedule (either outdoors or on my treadmill), begin a program of light weight training and tackle my lifelong obsession with sugar (i.e., chocolate and the plethora of forms it takes).

The Specifics

I resolve to walk for 45 minutes at 3.5mph (my treadmill informs me this is my moderately fast walking speed) four nights a week. I resolve to begin using my multicolored weights for reps rather than doorstops, even though the purple 10-pound ones look great in the guest bedroom. I will set aside time to read my fitness magazine articles and spend less time surfing the Net. When a chocolate craving flares up, I will ... OK, I'm going to have to come back to that one.

I am fully cognizant of this simple truth: Success will not happen by chance, nor will it happen overnight. It will not happen if I spend more time watching TV than working out. It will not happen if I am easy on myself or make excuses for not sticking to my routine, even valid excuses, such as doing the laundry or feeding the cat. I will not blame bad weather or my mother's hips for any lack of success. Only I can make it happen--and will. This is my mission and I choose to accept it.