By Greg CrawfordMy wife had a very proverbial New Year's resolution eight months ago, "I'm gonna lose some weight this year!" she proclaimed. The calendar says she's got four more months to achieve her goal but then she is currently 5 lbs heavier compared to what she weighed last year.Her story is not uncommon as millions of other people with weight problems say the same thing all the time. We often hear these cliches "I'm gonna lose some weight," or "I gotta get back in the gym," or "I've got to get thinner," and so on. In the end, however, these people often find themselves frustrated and feeling unaccomplished.If only they have set their goals properly, they would have been spared from all the stress. Here are the key elements on setting a perfect
fitness goal:
How to Set a Perfect Fitness Goal - GooD life FitneSS
1. Clarity.
Define what you want as clearly as possible. Motivational speaker Les Brown said, "You must see your goals clearly and specifically before you can set out for them. Hold them in your mind until they become second nature."If your goal is to lose "some" weight, think of how much you want to lose exactly before doing anything. Write down how many pounds you want to shed. Then imagine how you would look and feel weighing 30 lbs less.For example, "I want to lose 30 lbs and be able to wear size 9 clothes."Knowing what it is exactly that you want is a powerful motivator.
2. Realistic time-frame.
Set a realistic time line for your
fitness goal and keep yourself on track. If you want to lose 30 lbs, when do you think would you be able to accomplish it considering your schedule?Can you realistically shed 30 lbs in 2 months even though you are really busy at work and you can't go to the gym everyday? Whatever you think is realistic for you, add the date to the goal you wrote earlier. For example,Realistic Goal: "I want to lose 30 lbs by November 6th (three months from now). I will lose 10 lbs per month for the next three months."Realistic Plan: "Run on the treadmill for at least 20 minutes at a time, at least 5 times per week; Eat meals with 1/3 part vegetables, 1/3 part protein and 1/3 part carbohydrates; Limit desserts to only 3 regular doughnuts per week."When you know that the plan is doable on your own time-frame, then you know that you can achieve it.
3. Commitment.
A goal will remain a goal without taking action. Commit to achieving your goals knowing that you are capable of such. Find things that can motivate you to begin and move forward. Some powerful fitness motivators include:Improvement on healthImprovement on appearanceSuccess of other peopleFamilyRelationships, etcIf you really want to lose weight, want it so badly to take action. American psychiatrist and author David Viscott once said that "If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed."