Whether you’re looking to lose weight, tone up, or just be healthier, it’s important to set health and fitness goals that are both attainable and relevant to your needs. But setting healthy goals can be tough, especially if you’re not sure where to start. To help you succeed, we’ve rounded up some tips to keep in mind when making your New Year’s resolutions.
The first thing to consider is your motivation: Does the goal really mean something to you? If so, it’s much more likely to stick with you and be a part of your daily routine.
Another thing to think about is your ability level. If you’re new to fitness, it may be best to set a smaller, more achievable goal that will help you get there faster and allow you to see some results along the way.
You may also want to look into a training partner, like a personal trainer, for accountability. Not only can they provide some extra guidance, but they might even be able to give you a plan of attack when it comes to achieving your goals.
If you’re new to fitness, you may be surprised at how many opportunities there are to set a SMART goal: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely (or SMART for short).
To ensure that your goals are SMART, make them specific so you can gauge whether or not you’re meeting them. For example, “losing 10 pounds in 12 weeks” is a measurable goal that you can track and measure your progress against.
Measuring progress in something other than your weight is crucial for success, says Ballenger, who recommends getting a health assessment to check your cholesterol, blood sugar and other health metrics. That will give you a clearer picture of your overall health and help you identify if your weight loss is coming from the fat or muscle.
Attainable goals are also important, as they are more likely to motivate you and make you feel proud of your accomplishments when you meet them. They should be challenging enough to motivate you, but not so difficult that you’ll quit before you even begin.
If you’re not sure what a realistic fitness goal is, talk to a certified fitness professional, Kollins Ezekh, a certified personal trainer and group fitness expert, tells SELF. A trainer can help you evaluate your current fitness levels, set a goal that’s appropriate for you and create a training program that helps you reach it.
It’s also important to set a deadline for completing your fitness goal, advises Ferguson. She points to a study that found that people were more likely to exercise more when they received daily step targets that exceeded their usual amount by about 500 steps a day.
To make this happen, try to schedule your fitness sessions around the same times you would normally have other appointments and meetings, so you won’t forget about them or skip them. And remember to honor your workouts just like you do any other appointment on your calendar, by showing up prepared and ready to work out.