Setting Realistic Goals

As we’re now in January I’m guessing some of you made a New Years resolution or at very least set yourself some goals for 2011 (well done if you did). I did, and I’ll share with you exactly what mine is: “My goal for 2011 is to build up my fitness business to a point were I can work part time with my current job and spend the other 2 days of the week working on further increasing and growing my business.” There, it’s out there for the whole world to see! It somehow makes it very real now. It’s not just an idea I have in my head, it’s a realistic, attainable goal.

"A goal is not a goal unless it is written down"

The purpose of this blog is to try to make you realise that for a goal to become real, it has to be specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and time specific. It has to be something that you are 100% dedicated to achieving, not 75%, nor 90%, but the full 100%. Set yourself a goal, one that really means something to you and then break it down into easily achievable chunks, weekly then monthly. You are more likely to reach your end goal.

If your goal was to get fit, is going from no exercise to going to the gym 3 times a week really something that you can sustain beyond January? Are you still going to be attending the gym in 6 months time? Because that is how long it takes a lifestyle change to fully become your new way of life. Six months......most people who set themselves a fitness based resolution have given up within 6 weeks!

Surely it would be more realistic & achievable if you set your sights lower to begin with, say, go to the gym once a week, then, once you’ve achieved that you’ll feel good about yourself and probably want to extend that to twice a week. Once you’ve managed twice a week for a period of time, then, and only then, add the third session. Before you set your sights on a marathon, sign up for a 5k run!

Set yourself REALISTIC & ACHIEVABLE goals.

Healthy eating, or the dreaded diet, is another great resolution made on 1st January by millions of people. But how many of those actually stick to it beyond January? Research shows that the average diet in the UK last between 7-10 days. And why is that? Because it is usually an unrealistic goal in the first place!Start slowly and introduce healthy foods gradually. Are you physically and emotionally ready to completely change your eating habits over-night? My guess is NO, you’re not ready.

So, to conclude, goal setting is great, provided it is done sensibly. Goals should be specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and timed.

So what do you want to achieve in 2011? Think about it, believe it and make it happen!

If you need any help setting or achieving any fitness or nutrition related goals then i’m always willing to lend a hand.

Look me up and give me a call.