When it comes to setting goals, we live in a world where it is easy to make lists and talk about what we want to accomplish. We see other successful people or hear the hard work that they put in, and we immediately set our dream goals. Unfortunately, the majority of people realize pretty quickly that the goals they set for themselves are pretty unattainable. Whether it is work, social events, hobbies, or whatever, our newest set of goals eventually takes a back seat to what has already been dominating our life previously.
So are goals bad? Absolutely, not. The problem is that we often do not set the correct goals. In fitness, and with everything else in life, you need to set well-balanced goals. Goals that are going to challenge you, but that are also going to allow you to accomplish them.
This fitness article is going to provide five keys for not only setting the right goals for yourself but also making sure that they are goals that you can follow through on.
Game Plan Your Goals
When it comes to setting your fitness goals, it is critical that you sit down and realistically evaluate your time and availability. If you have limited free time during the week, don’t put down “workout for two hours every day.” This isn’t realistic and will eventually cause you to give up on everything all together. Instead, sit down, comb through your week, and find the times that you can fit in a workout. Some days it may be doing bodyweight exercises at home while watching some TV, or maybe it might be playing with the kids in the backyard. Whatever it is, make a game plan to do it, and then do it.
This doesn’t mean that you should give yourself an excuse not to work out if you do have the time. Just because you want to be home at a particular time to watch a TV show, doesn’t mean you can’t skip it to get your workout in. At a certain point, it is going to be up to you to determine your priorities and then stick to them no matter what.
Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust
Sometimes, even with a well thought out plan, you can still fall short of your fitness goals, and that is okay. What isn’t okay is to give up and quit. Simply adjust your game plan to something that works a little better for you, and keep moving. Life is all about calculated adjustments and learning to adapt, so why shouldn’t your fitness journey be the same.
Maybe you don’t have as much time as anticipated, or perhaps another responsibility came into your life, that is how life goes. When this happens, sit down, pivot, and keep moving forward.
Have Both Short and Long Term Goals
Another reason that people tend to quit on their fitness goals is because they don’t see the results quickly enough. They set big goals for themselves that understandably take time to finish, and before they can get to them, they get frustrated and give up. So when you set your goals, make sure to set both long and short term goals.
For example, if you are looking to follow a weight loss plan and want to lose X amount of pounds, set your end goal, but also, set smaller goals along the way as well. And remember, don’t be afraid to adjust. This does not mean you have a blank check to cop-out if you are not finding success right away, but if you find that you need to adjust your goals slightly, give yourself the freedom to do so; without negative self-judgment.
Set Daily Reminders for Yourself
Out of sight, out of mind. That is precisely where your fitness goals are going to be if you do not set yourself daily reminders. Whether you go old school with a note by your mirror or on your desk, or whether you are more tech-savvy and want to set it up in your smartphone, find something that works for you, and then do it.
And, then, when you do see that reminder, don’t turn a blind eye to it. Think about why you started, what your next goal is, and then what your ultimate goal is. The more you are reminding yourself of why something is important to you, the more likely you are to follow through with it. So set up daily reminders to help you out along the way.
Find a Fitness Accountability Partner
One of the best ways to stay committed to your goals is to find someone to go on the journey with you. Having a gym buddy can make all the difference in the world. On the days that you don’t feel like going, they will challenge you to go, and vice-versa. You will both be there for each other, and will also challenge each other to follow through.
However, even if you don’t find someone that has the same schedule as you, or can commit to working out with you, find someone that will help keep you accountable. Tell someone that you trust, and that cares about you, about your fitness goals. Invite them to lunch or a cup of coffee and share what you are looking to accomplish. After that, give them permission to hold you accountable and call you out if you aren’t doing what you said you would do.
For best results, set up a regular accountability time where they can inquire about your latest efforts. And, while this is going to help hold you accountable, use it as an opportunity to strengthen your friendship as well.
Another excellent way to find accountability is through group fitness classes or sports leagues. These will allow you to connect with a whole new fitness community. You will be able to have some fun, make some new friends, and ultimately pursue your fitness goals. And, don’t worry if you are not an expert at whatever fitness group or sports league you want to try. Many offer beginner to advanced options, and most of the people there are going to be very social, helpful, and welcoming.
Tips For Setting Your Fitness Goals Conclusion
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to your fitness goals is getting caught up in what other people are doing. Yes, there are a ton of excellent fitness websites out there that offer so many quality resources. That doesn’t mean that you need to follow and try everything that you see.
Beginner or expert, you need to find the game plan that best fits your needs and then be willing to adjust and make small changes (or maybe even big ones) as you go. Before you know it, your fitness goals will be part of your lifestyle and something that you enjoy and look forward to. It won’t be, “I have to go to the gym today,” but it will be, “I can’t wait to go!”
So good luck with all of your fitness goals, and thank you for reading. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know below.
