Chances are you’ve used the word “appointment” more than once in your vocabulary so far this year.

You’ve had one for the yearly check-up with your doctor or dentist. They can be made in your day-to-day activities with the bank, auto shop or chiropractor.

Remember that act of teenage rebellion at the tattoo parlour? That was an appointment.

On occasion, you’ve probably made one with the barber or hairstylist.

The truth about appointments is that most of us make it a priority to get to them. The act of booking an appointment gives it some kind of importance.

It is an official meeting. Someone expects you somewhere at a certain time and it reflects on your integrity to be there.

So why not book a fitness appointment?

No, I’m not talking about that time the young stud at the local big box gym put you on a scale and then showed you how to use the leg press machine. I mean that you should start looking at your workouts as appointments.

To further make the case, here are a few simple questions:

How many doctor’s appointments or hair appointments have you skipped?

And how many workouts have you bailed on?

The numbers for most of us are not even close.

The fitness appointment circle of life

By treating your workout as a fitness appointment, you may begin to look at your health in a whole new light.

- Planning for success in this way will become second nature.
- This new habit will increase your chances of getting your workouts in.
- More regular workouts will lead to a variety of positive results.
- Positive results will motivate you to keep booking fitness appointments.

This is a beautiful circle of life (key music from The Lion King, please).

“ Realistically, you will be on your own for some of your workouts. Take that as an opportunity to develop some “fitness maturity” - don’t make it an excuse for not making things happen

How to make a fitness appointment

Here is your action plan:

1. Take out your daily planner or your phone.
2. For the next week, write in the time of your fitness appointments (i.e. workouts).
3. Feel free to include location, duration and any other workout details.
4. If using a phone, set an alert for that day reminding you of your appointment.
5. Go to your appointments and kick butt.

This is going to be a lot more challenging if you do all of your workouts by yourself as you are in effect booking an appointment with yourself.

Booking an appointment with a good coach, group class or workout buddy has more built-in accountability than booking an appointment with yourself.

However, realistically, you will be on your own for some of your workouts. Take that as an opportunity to develop some “fitness maturity” - don’t make it an excuse for not making things happen.

Here is the bottom line: if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.

This little tip is very simple but it may just be what you need to head in a new fit direction.

Book your appointment today!

A lifelong athlete, Johnny Fukumoto has a degree in kinesiology from Wilfrid Laurier University. He is the owner of, and head trainer at Fukumoto Fitness, Winnipeg’s “anti-gym.” Visit www.fukumotofitness.com.

Published in Volume 66, Number 24 of The Uniter (March 21, 2012)