Learning how to set a fitness goal the right way is key to your success. So many people get a burst of motivation and end up overwhelming themselves with goals that are simply unachievable from where they’re currently at. Here are some tips for setting fitness goals that you can actually meet.
#1 Make them realistic
This is definitely the number one tip in setting any fitness goal. You want to make a goal that you’ll actually be able to achieve. For instance, your goal might be to eventually run a 5K. But, you can’t go from the couch to a 5K runner in just a week or even a month. Most programs take 9 weeks to get you there.
#2 Break them up
Another tip is to think about your big goal and then break it up into multiple milestones. This makes it easier to track your progress along the way and hitting your milestones will keep you motivated. For instance, if you have a goal to run a 5k, which is 5 kilometers, aim to run 1 kilometer first, then 2, and so on. If your goal is weight loss related, aim to lose in small increments, maintain for some time, and then start losing again.
#3 Track your progress
Finding a fun way to track your progress will definitely help you see how far you’ve come. Knowing this will also help you stay motivated even during times where your progress has slowed down, which is bound to happen. Weight loss isn’t linear. You might lose 5 pounds in your first week and later struggle to lose just .5 pounds.
Having a progress board or some way to look back on how far you’ve come will help you stay on the right track and remind you that quitting won’t get you any further ahead–it will just move you further back.
#4 Ask for help
Finding an accountability partner can be a critical part of staying on track to your fitness success. Oftentimes, our closest family and friends don’t support our change. They may think your diet is unhealthy or that you are restricting too many calories. Or, they may have some other reason for not supporting you. Regardless, an accountability partner will help you have a like-minded individual to encourage you.
