By Bruce de Jong and Stephanie Norton-Bredl

The beginning of the school year is a good time to review your 2014 fitness goals and reset positive routines for yourself and family. This month we invite you to consider moving from a seasonal approach to health and fitness and consider adopting a long-term view. Specifically, what do you want to be physically capable of doing in the next five to 10 years?

The benefit of this perspective is that it acknowledges that the pursuit of health and fitness is a lifelong journey.

This perspective was reinforced when my wife and I were driving to the Washington State Fair last week and my normally bubbly wife, Cathy, solemnly declared that “she only had 15 Fairs left.” I was a little surprised by her comment and asked to hear why. Cathy shared that next year she turns 50 and, since we attend the fair about every other year, Cathy thought that while she will always have the desire to attend the fair, she might not have the energy or mobility needed to enjoy strolling up and down the halls of “Modern Living” or seeing the latest 4-H display in the dairy barn. (Truly, she really does get a kick out of those displays!)

Our conversation then turned to what simple activities we could do together now in order to increase our future opportunities to eat scones and purchase mops we don’t need when we are 80 years old.

Stephanie and I would like to encourage you to view your health and wellness in much the same way; an opportunity now to use an important future goal to motive your physical activity. Asking yourself, “What do I want my quality of life to be in five years, 10 years or 20 years?” may provide the motivation you need to give yourself permission to make your health and wellness a priority now. We have met several clients who do not make their health and wellness a priority until a catastrophic illness or injury diminishes their physical capabilities and quality of life.

Change starts with something new and making a commitment to be healthy in later years can be the motivation to strive for daily physical activity.In establishing your healthy habits, consider these tips:

1. Keep it simple. It’s difficult to change too many things at once. Focus on goals that are realistic. If you never exercise, five days a week may be a stretch, but a goal to walk twice a week would be easier to achieve.

2. Recruit a support team. We recommend recruiting a buddy, a mentor and a cheerleader. This can be the same person but three different people is ideal. It’s easy to find a friend, family member or colleague with similar goals to be a buddy. A mentor is someone you could go to for advice, perhaps someone who has made the changes you hope to make. Your cheerleader is just that, someone who will celebrate your accomplishments with you. Family can often play many of these roles.

3. Think about your goals, write them down and visualize what it will be like to achieve them.

4. There will always be things in life that interfere with your goals to be healthier, faster or stronger. It’s OK to get off track as long as you don’t get derailed. Think about what you will do to get back on track before life gets in the way.

5. Finally, think about what you can contribute to your family, your workplace, your community as a healthier, more vibrant you. Discuss your goals with your family and friends and ask them why it’s important. Talking about the benefits of a healthier lifestyle helps everyone build a deeper commitment to the process.

Best wishes for your continued success and have a “fair” day!

Stephanie Norton-Bredl is the associate executive director at the Auburn Valley YMCA and may be contacted at snortonbredl@seattleymca.org. Bruce deJong is a group exercise instructor at the Auburn Valley YMCA and may be contacted at bruce@bicyclebootcamp.com.