Setting Realistic Goals

How to Set Realistic Goals

Goal setting is important in so many aspects of life and there’s no difference when it comes to your health and fitness.  Having a fitness goal will help keep you focused and give you the extra incentive you need when you find your motivation lacking.  Setting realistic fitness goals is also an important way of staying accountable and on track.  Setting goals can even help you step outside your comfort zone and push past what you may have thought was not capable.  Figuring out how to set realistic fitness goals you’ll actually want to achieve is not always easy.  But working at it a little bit each and every day will help you to achieve your goals. 

Tips to help set realistic goals:

1-  Make It Your Own

Your goal should be your goal.  The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing realistic fitness goals is that the person at the center of it is you.  Your goal should be something that you personally want to achieve and are really excited about reaching and even possibly exceeding.  Also, it’s easy to scroll through social media and base your goals off of what you see other people achieving.  It’s so important not to make goals for the sake of having one or because it’s someone else’s goal.  Everyone has their own race to run.  So really take time to think about what you want to achieve.  The stronger your desire to want to achieve your goal, the more likely you are to reach it.

2-  Create Mini Goals

Having smaller goals that help you on your way to achieving your larger goal is an amazing way to keep you motivated and build your confidence.  Having to wait a long time before you hit your main goal can make you lose motivation.  Therefore, having smaller goals will help you reward yourself mentally along the way.  It’s all about those little victories. 

3-  Find a Support System

Build a team around you to help the goal become a reality.  Everyone in this group is here for you. Maybe you could ask a friend or family member to encourage you and hold you accountable to your goal as well.  If the people you spend time with are ready to support you it will make a huge difference. 

4-  Track Your Progress 

One thing I really encourage you to do is to write your goal down somewhere you’ll see it everyday.  After you’ve written it down, make sure you keep track of your progress towards hitting it.  Find what works best for you.  If your goal is focussed on increasing your overall fitness or strength you could try writing your progress down after each workout.  If you have a weight loss goal, try taking regular progress photos or do measurements to track those changes.  (Post them in the group for extra motivation!) Keeping a record of how far you have come can help you see that you are making progress. Even slow progress is still progress.  

5-  Consistency is Key

Living a healthy lifestyle is about building a habit and routine.  Consistency really is key.  Once you’ve decided on your goal, take time to think about how you can build into your current lifestyle.  Maybe you could add more walking or decide to take the stairs whenever you have the opportunity.  It’s important to remember that change takes time.  Focus on picking a goal that you can achieve over several months or even a year.  Having a long term mentality will help you see your goal as a lifestyle change rather than a quick fix.

What is your goal?

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