Thinking of starting your fitness journey, then lets start by setting up your smart goals.
How to set a smart fitness goal and why is it important to know your WHY?
Are you thinking about starting a fitness journey? Well here is what I recommend for you to do before you start. First and foremost write down WHY you want to begin this journey. What motivated you to begin? Identify the reason why you are starting will help you stay committed. Especially if you write it down where you can see it daily and remind yourself.
Examples of WHY’s
• I want to lower my blood pressure and get off medication• I want to lower my risks of any heart problems• I want to fit in my skinny jeans• I want the energy to play around with my kids Your WHY has to be very clear and powerful so that when you read it will remind you of why you embarked on your fitness and you remain committed.
Where to put your WHY?
An example of great places to write down your WHY would be on your bathroom mirror, on Fridge, on a sticky note and put in your car, or make it your phone background. If you are constantly reminded of your WHY it will be a lot harder to make excuses to not follow through. You want to have a clear vision of why you embarked on this journey. Because let me tell you, you will have tough days, you will want to quit and give up.
Fitness journeys are not easy; they are extremely hard, why, because we are busy. Now give yourself a big enough reason not to quit! Time to set your SMART goals What is a smart goal? Let me break it down for you.
S: Specific – goals must be clear and unambiguous, stating specifically what should be accomplished.
M: Measurable- goals must be measurable so that you can see the progress you are making. Example: completing the workouts you set yourself to do for the week or losing 2lbs. or comparing your pictures. Your progress will not always be measured by the scale and remind yourself of that.
A: Attainable: Goals should be realistically attainable. By setting realistic and attainable goals you will be less disappointed. For example: if you are trying to lose 20 lbs. You have to be realistic to yourself and set a good amount of time to accomplish those goals. Because if you say you want to lose 20lbs. in a month and the month goes by and you don’t lose the weight you will immediately begin to feel discouraged.
R: Relevant: goals must be relevant to the particular interest, needs, and abilities. Find something that works for you. Not every workout is the right workout for every person. You have to do what interests you, what keeps you wanting to go back for more.
T: Time-bound: goals must contain estimated timelines for completion. You want to set yourself a timeframe because if you don’t cheat on yourself will become very easy. A fitness journey is not just counting calories and working out. You have to have a vision and plan for your progress and in case of a relapse. Being mindful of your goals will help you overcome your challenges that will arise during the process of your fitness journey.
