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This year my big fitness goal is to change how I walk and stand. This sounds extreme but hear me out.
I have naturally fallen arches in my feet which has lead to the rest of my body compensating for the lack of support. My knees are a bit wonky, my posture is slouched and many of my stabilizer muscles are extremely weak.
Over the last few years I've methodically worked on improving many of my weaknesses. I've fixed my posture significantly and I've greatly improved my core strength.
This year I'm targeting everything from the hips down. I've started working with an incredible trainer who has shown me exercises that pinpoint my weaknesses and it's been game-changing. I actually _have_ arches now and I haven't used my insoles in weeks!
I'm seeing tremendous results already and I'm eager to continue making progress over the next few months. I've got a gym membership now and access to weights and machines that I'll be using to further strengthen my legs. I've also learned a number of resistance-band exercises that really make me feel the burn.
I'm often acutely aware of my body, and through this experience I'm learning the nuances of my stance and gait. One of the big things I noticed was that my hips naturally sit backwards. When I pull my hips forward slightly when I stand or while I walk, it immediately brings everything into alignment. All the stabilizers that rarely fire are suddenly firing away and muscles I didn't even know I had are getting sore. I even noticed how pulling my hips forward opens up my chest and I'm breathing differently! It's a wonder what a few tweaks can accomplish.
I've found that having very specific fitness goals is the best way for me to stay motivated. When I have a specific goal I can track my progress more acutely and that keeps me engaged for a longer time.
I'm entering my 30th year and my big-picture goal to use this decade to establish my physical and mental health foundation for the decades that follow. All the work I'm doing this year on my lower body will go a long way towards injury prevention later on in my life.
Adding new chapters to my fitness journey is always so rewarding :)