6 Quick Steps to Fitness Goal Setting

Are exercise goals really important? Well, I was talking with somebody the other day about training (exercising) and this topic came up. Here's how that happened.

After a brief discussion with this person, I realized they were not happy with the results they have achieved after years of training at the local "gym." Well, trying to help them in some way, I asked a very simple and obvious question (to me). I asked them what their goal was for exercising. There was a very long pause. The pause was long enough for me to realize that this could be a part of the problem. That's why I decided to post on this topic.

This is a very simple list by design. I could have made it longer and more complicated. But that didn't seem right. Please send me your comments on this or let me know of your personal successes when it comes to goal setting. I would love to hear about it.

On a personal note, the 2 most important things that have helped me in achieving goals in my life were #1 and #2. I still have the notebook I bought 12 years ago to write my professional goals in. I look at it often. Now more about the list.

1). What do YOU really want? Identify your goals. Keep the list simple and short. One or two things (i.e. lose 20 lbs, get fit enough to finish a 10k) and that's it.

2). Read Your Fitness Goal(s) every day. Review your goal(s) and the plan you have created to achieve your goal(s).

3). Create your plan to achieve your goals. Don't leave out any details. If this is where you get stuck. Get professional help. Write down your plan and read it every day. You must keep this vision fresh in your mind. Do all of this in your training journal.

4). Keep it real! Set ATTAINABLE goals. Don't set yourself up for failure but also, don’t set goals that are a slam dunk.

5). Tell everyone within 5 feet! If you are serious that is. Don't be shy to talk about your goals with anyone interested. Every time you talk about your goals with anyone that will listen, you are re-stating them to yourself as well. You must be accountable to yourself first and then anyone that can remember your goals enough to call you on them.

6). Keep track of your progress. Keep a training journal and use it every day. If this mission is important, write it down. You will love to look back on this journey later to appreciate every bit of sweat and effort that went into achieving your personal training goals. List your goal(s) at the front of this training journal so you can read it everyday.

Good luck! If you need help, email Eric and Darrell at info@fit224.com