Health and fitness goals are a great way to set yourself up for success. They give you a reason to get up early, go to the gym, and stick to a routine. They also give you a sense of accomplishment, and make it easier to stick with a healthy lifestyle.
Achieving these goals can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be as simple as incorporating these tips into your daily life:
1. Be Specific, Measurable and Attainable
Your goal should be specific, measurable, and attainable. It should be something that’s based on your fitness level and personal preferences, and is realistic enough to achieve over time.
2. Be Time-Bound
You should have a specific date in mind when you want to achieve your fitness goal, so that you can set milestones along the way and track your progress. If you’re just starting out, this is a great way to focus on the right things and avoid a lot of frustration.
3. Be Realistic
If you’ve been a couch potato for the last few years, suddenly going to the gym five days a week might not be in your best interest. It can take time to adjust to a new routine, so it’s best to be realistic and assess your limitations before you commit to anything.
4. Be Confident
It’s important to have a strong belief that you can actually achieve your goal, says Mike Clancy, NYC-based certified strength and conditioning specialist. The more confident you are about your goal, the more likely you are to stick to it and get results, he tells SELF.
5. Be Embracing Balance
Keeping up with your fitness goals often means putting a lot of effort into workouts and other activities, but making sure to balance them out with rest is crucial for your overall well-being. Doing so can help you prevent burnout, injury, and a general exhaustion that could keep you from reaching your goals.
6. Be More Emotional
Adding emotion to your goals can increase your motivation and make them more attainable, Ogden says. For example, if you’re overweight and don’t feel good about your body, adding an “E” to your goal could mean that you are going to take steps to address this.
7. Be Consistent
A goal that’s too vague or doesn’t have a clear timeline can make it easy to fall off the wagon. So instead of trying to run a marathon in the summer or lose a certain number of pounds, make your goal more realistic by setting a date and a target weight for when you want to complete it.
8. Be a Team Player
Another way to stay motivated is by setting goals that involve working with others. Try joining a gym or running club, and find people with similar interests who are also trying to live healthier lives. This will give you a sense of belonging and will make you more accountable to your own fitness goals, so that you can meet and beat those goals together.