Effective Fitness Goal Setting
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011Goals have the ability to take you from where you are at present to the place where you want to be. You will acquire motivation and direction that can drive you to action if you have goals. Without it, life becomes a series of cycles. You consider getting the body you desire as a general goal. You have to break it down to the last detail so that you’ll be able to reach it without compromises. The goals you set and the things you do to reach it are where your achievements will depend on. Your goals greatly depend on how far you would like to reach in your dreams.
You tend to get vague and unsure answers when you ask people what they would like to achieve in their fitness programs. “I want to lose weight” is an example of a goal that needs to be more specific. You should narrow it down to the last detail. How many pounds do you want to drop? What vital statistic measurements you would like to have? You should make sure that these goals are measurable. When it comes to fitness, the basic measuring tools are tape measure, weighing scale and the mirror. If you can, you should also get your body fat measurement. Getting a skin fold test is a simple way of measuring it. A base data is necessary to determine where you are now.
You need to set ambitious goals. Setting very conservative goals means you’re short changing yourself. You will not be able to maximize your potential by expecting mediocre results out of your efforts. Most people get scared of reaching for higher, bigger goals. This only makes you get what you think you can. When setting goals, aim for what you want, not what you think you are capable of. You’ll be surprised with what you can achieve if you put your mind to it. You should aim high but remember to set realistic deadlines. Losing weight is different from losing fat. Losing weight can mean losing water and muscles, which is not a good thing. “Lose fourteen pounds in seven weeks is a time bound, realistic and specific goal.
Set long and short term goals. Determine the reasons behind your goals. An emotionally driven goal is more powerful than goals conceived by the mind. Emotional reasons can range from fear of death or disability to proving you’re a better catch than the one your former boyfriend married. Use them to fire you up and motivate you to achieve your maximum potential. Establishing the purpose of your goals early on keeps you focused and feeds your determination to do what you have to do.
Setting goals are important if we want to get what we aspire for. Staying positive by focusing on our achievements is the right way to fuel our motivation. Break down your goals into monthly, weekly and daily goals. It gives you something to work on and look forward to everyday.
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