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Making a Plan to Strengthen Your Core
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To stick with your commitment to core workouts, you might want to
consider making an exercise plan. You’ll be more likely to start exercis-
ing, keep exercising, and reach your goals.
SET SOME GOALS
Before you even start working out, you may want to think about your
goals. What do you hope to accomplish by working out your core?
Some goals you might consider could build on the benefits of core
workouts covered in chapter 2.
Maybe you want to be a better athlete. Think about how a stronger
core will help you at your chosen sport. Core workouts can make you
a more powerful batter in baseball and hit more powerful swings and
serves in tennis. You’ll have longer
stamina
when swimming, running,
and playing soccer. You can improve your performance in pretty much
any sport through core workouts.
Or maybe you want to lose some weight. If you’re looking to lose
weight through core workouts, you should definitely talk to your doctor
to make sure you need to lose weight and you’re doing it in a healthy
way. Core workouts may not help you lose a lot of weight, but they’re
great combined with aerobic exercises like running or swimming.
Another goal you could decide on is simply overall daily health. If
you find yourself having a hard time getting through your day, a core
workout might make your life easier. They are great for people who
have a hard time climbing lots of stairs, taking long walks, or doing
activities that involve bending over, like gardening. Core workouts focus
on
essential
muscle groups that affect the other muscles in your body
and help you with everyday activities.
No matter what goal you choose, write it down somewhere so you’ll
remember. Then after you start exercising, you can refer back to your
goal when you’re getting frustrated or want to give up. You’re more
likely to stick with it when you think back to why you’re working out in
the first place.