How to Create Fitness Goals that Really Work for You
You’ve got the gym membership, the nutrition and hydration plan , and your daily workout schedule. Do you also have written goals for your fitness journey? Many people don’t, but having goals helps keep you on track and accountable. Goals help you choose the right actions to make progress and help you keep your momentum even when it’s been a tough day. When you set clear goals, you’ll put in more effort each day, and that effort will truly get you to where you want to be. Here’s how to build effective written fitness goals:
Start big . This heading sounds wrong, because we’re usually told to start small and work toward a goal in steps. But it’s hard to set effective goals without first having a sense of what you want out of your fitness journey. Do you want to be stronger? Faster? Leaner? Knowing the big picture helps you define your goals for the smaller steps it takes to get there.
Use SMART goals . Now that you are clear about the big picture, how do you write those more specific goals? Most businesses use SMART goals to keep on track because they work so well. You can use this technique yourself to create clear, actionable goals for your fitness program. What are SMART goals? These are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Each goal will fit into all five categories.
- Specific . The goal needs to state exactly what you want – how many pounds you want to bench-press, how many miles you want to run, etc. Avoid vague statements like “lift more weight,” which doesn’t specify how much or when.
- Measurable . The goal must be measurable. This is easy when you set specific numbers, whether it’s how much weight to lift, distance to cover, or time to spend. As you progress, you can measure how far you’ve come and how close you are to achieving that goal. Once you’ve achieved this number, you’ve attained that goal.
- Attainable . Choose realistic goals that you can attain. This is the “start small” advice you’ve heard before, and it really works. You identified what you want for the big picture, so start with smaller increments to get there. This also means working on only one goal at a time so that you stay focused and results-oriented.
- Relevant . Make sure that your goals will get you where you want to go. Other people may have advice for you, but only you know what’s relevant to your big-picture goals.
- Time-Bound . Set a time frame for your goals. This makes them specific so that you know what you’re working for each day.
Announce your goals . Share your goals with people you trust so they can hold you accountable and support your efforts. It also helps you stay on track mentally, since other people expect results from you. When you keep your goals to yourself, it’s easier to let things slide.
Work on goals every day . Think about your goals every day as you work out. This way, your mind is on improvements. Daily progress helps keep your momentum going strong.
Now that you’ve set clear, measurable goals, you’ll be on the path to attaining your big-picture fitness goals. While you’re working out, remember the importance of hydration to keep you moving at peak performance. TotalFit Premium Water™ can help you meet your goals with its electrolyte-enhanced, purified, pH balanced, and micro-clustered formula for optimal absorption and hydration. You can find TotalFit Premium Water™ to fit your needs online, or find a store near you to get a case today. For important promotions, fitness tips and more, text “totalfit” to 95577 and BE FIT today!









