Let’s be real: everyone’s fitness goals are different. There’s no blueprint for setting goals that will work for everybody. But there are steps that you can take to help you set your own targets so that you can move a little bit closer to the lifestyle you deserve.
Start with writing down what you want to achieve. Having something in writing makes things feel more tangible, and once they’re tangible, they instantly become more achievable. Got them written down? Great, now that that’s done, we’re going to let you in on five simple steps that will help get you to where you want to be.
- Be specific about what you want
Knowing exactly what you want is the easiest way to go after it. Any good goal is specific and to the point. Don’t set vague goals for yourself. For example, if weight loss is your goal, don’t just aim to lose weight. Give yourself a number and work towards that. You can always adjust this number later, but to start, have a firm idea of exactly what you’re working towards.
Envisioning the outcome you want will set you on the right path to progress.
- Set some milestones
We all thrive off of having something to celebrate, so setting milestones is a great way to keep you focused and motivated on your fitness journey. It’s good to have long-term goals, but don’t get so focused on the future that you forget about how far you’ve already come.
When you reach your milestones, be sure to enjoy them! If your first milestone is to run 5 kilometers without stopping, get yourself those new running shoes you’ve had your eye on when you reach it. You worked hard, and your success should be celebrated.
- Be real with yourself
Don’t get us wrong – your potential is limitless. We know it is, you know it is, and your mom knows it too. You really can do anything that you put your mind to, which is exactly why you need to get real with yourself about your fitness goals.
Every goal that you set is attainable, but if you set yourself an unrealistic goal, it’s a one-way ticket to disappointment. For example, if you’re not a runner, but you decide that you want to run a marathon next month, you’re probably not going to be able to complete it (but good on you if you do!). Instead, aim to run a 5K by next month and then perhaps enter the marathon next year. You’ll get there eventually, but you need to be realistic in your goal setting. If not, you’ll end up demotivated, despondent, and very likely to give up.
- Remember you’re in it for the long run
Everyone wants instant gratification, but it’s important to remember that when it comes to health and fitness, lasting changes don’t happen quickly. There’s no way you’ll be able to completely overhaul your fitness in just one week, one month or even six months. So remember to set goals that can be met over an extended period of time. Having this mentality will go a long way in helping you make slow, effective changes instead of just settling for quick fixes.
- Turn time into your weapon
How many new years have you started off setting yourself a fitness goal? Usually, they go along the lines of “I want to shed a few pounds” or “I want to eat less takeout”. Whatever your goals are, assign a timestamp to each one. Give yourself fitness deadlines and work towards them. So instead of saying “I want to lose weight” maybe turn it into “I want to be down five pounds within five weeks”. By adding time to your goals, you can better focus your efforts and create a more structured plan to help you smash those long-term fitness goals.
Feeling unmotivated or still don’t know where to start? Download GOFA and check out our GOFA Goals. From Running 5km in 30 days to Lean & Tone, through our AI-powered audio and video-based workouts, we will be with you every step of the way, motivating you to stay on track and smash your personal body goals. Download Now!
