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Physical fitness is an important part of the home schooling process.
But it's lunchtime and you have to work on a school report rather than your regular fitness workout. You think it doesn't matter, because tomorrow you'll make time to exercise. But tomorrow comes and you have too much work to do. More days go by and you haven't worked out; something else seems to always come up. You really enjoy your exercise time and how you feel afterwards, but you just do not understand why you are not as motivated as you once were.
Many factors can contribute to changing fitness habits. One possibility is that you did not establish a clear direction or goals for your program. Realistic goals provide focus to an exercise program. They help chart your progress to your destination.
It's easier than you think! The process of goal setting for home schooling is identical for fitness as it is for personal and professional development. In fact, the home school situation gives the parent a better chance to teach their child goal setting skills. Attainable goals help you understand what is possible out of many available options. Establishing goals brings into focus how your current fitness status relates to your ideal.
Develop both long- and short-range goals. Long-range goals are more general, but not all encompassing. They should be accomplishable through a logical progression of activity. They do not need to have a time limit on achievement.
Short-range goals identify the logical steps to achieving your long-term targets. They should be very specific and realistic based on your present capabilities and should have a time limit for achievement. Short-term goals can be used to measure your progress. Remember to include all the components of fitness when setting your goals—cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility.
Now you need a way to keep yourself (and your home schooler) focused on your goals. One orderly way to do this is to make a contract with yourself. A contract is an agreement that includes a well defined conclusion and reward. First, create a list of your short-term and long-term goals. Then decide how to reward yourself for reaching each of your targets. Make the rewards special things that are important to you, i.e., getting a new video game, getting a sitter for the kids one afternoon, or buying something special that you have always wanted. The more excited you are about the reward, the easier it will be to accomplish the goal.
Setting goals keeps you motivated to do what you should do on a regular basis. This is a very personal process. Everyone's goals will be slightly different. Your targets and rewards need to be right for you.
Remember that goal setting, like fitness is an ongoing process. Help your home school student to learn the value of long term planning, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from reaching a long term goal. Each time a goal is achieved, help your home school student set a new one. If you do not reach your goal within your set time frame, do not be discouraged. Reassess your status and set a new goal, either short- or long-range. Goal setting will help you maintain a consistent fitness program for the rest of your life.