Setting Goals

If you're trying to lose weight, build muscle or excel at a sport, you'll need specific goals.

By Kelly Williams   Talk to the Author.

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Setting Goals

Learn how to set your weight loss and fitness goals

If you're trying to lose weight, build muscle or excel at a sport, you'll need specific goals. When you don't have a specific goal, it's difficult to keep exercising and to track your progress to see how far you've come. Before you get busy, take a moment and ask yourself these questions:

1. What do I want to accomplish with this exercise program?
2. Is my goal realistic and attainable?
3. How do I reach my goal?
4. When do I want to reach my goal?
5. How will I reward myself when I reach my goal?

For example, is it reasonable to want to lose 50 pounds in 6 months? Experts recommend that you lose no more than 1-2 pounds per week, but it isn't likely that you'll lose 2 pounds every single week. Keep in mind that:

• The more weight you lose, the harder it will be to lose weight because the less weight your body has to move around, the less calories it will burn doing so
• The closer you get to your goal, the harder it will be to reach it--in fact, you may NEVER reach it (ever talk to someone who's still trying to lose that last 5 pounds?)
• Everyone has a weight their body is comfortable at and once you reach that weight, you'll find it very difficult to lose anymore. Just because YOU think you should be at 125 doesn't mean your body agrees
• Make sure your goal weight is reasonable for your height and frame

After you set your goal, find out how to reach it. If you want to lose weight or become better at a sport, you need to figure out how that is accomplished by hiring a trainer or fitness expert, or hit the Internet or a library for some research. Know what you have to do before you get started. Many people are surprised at the daily effort it takes to reach their goals.

Once you know what you're doing and how you're doing it, the hardest part is sticking to it. Here are some strategies to help make it easier to get up and get going:

• Schedule your exercise sessions each week--in INK!
• Set weekly goals and reward yourself each time you succeed (i.e., new shoes or a massage works nicely)
• Work out with friends or family for added motivation
• Recommit to your exercise goals each and every day
• Be prepared by always having your workout bag with you, bringing your lunch to work, etc.
• Keep a workout journal and look through it regularly to see your progress
• Take your measurements in the beginning, and then retake them every six weeks to see if you're making progress.

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