Making realistic fitness goals is important to achieving success in any fitness routine. If the goals are too difficult or unrealistic, you could become injured, become emotionally burned out from the training, or simply give up. Creating realistic fitness goals is easier than you think and enlisting the help of a personal trainer if needed can help you make sure your goals are obtainable. A personal trainer can help create a personalized training plan to help you reach those goals. Here are some tips to follow in making realistic fitness goals:
- Set goals with purposes that are measurable. Simply stating you want to start working out to be more fit is not a measurable goal. An example of measurable goals could include attending a fitness class or training session a minimum of three times per week, or being able to run a mile without stopping, or losing ten pounds. Setting goals that are measurable allows you track progress and to be able to adjust the training plan if needed. This data can also help you see if the current program you are following is no longer effective for the purpose you want it to serve. The wellness industry changes often so choosing goals that have measurable results ensures that you’re not falling for a fitness fad that could be hindering your ability to reach your personal fitness goals.
- If you have a big goal, break it down into smaller goals so you can maintain motivation and celebrate the smaller milestones as you work towards your bigger goal. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon, break that down into smaller goals of completing a 5k, 10k, 15k, and half marathon before toeing the starting line of the marathon at your goal race. Completing smaller goals that works towards your bigger fitness goals helps to build confidence, mental strength, and resiliency. Wellness coach software can be used to help keep track of mileage, speed, pace, and gait to make sure you are making progress.
- Reassess your goals often. Life can sometimes throw unexpected curveballs that make fitness training more challenging. Re-accessing personal goals often allows you to make sure that the goals are still realistic and that you are setting yourself up for success. For example, if you committed to a fitness goal of competing in your first triathlon but end up getting a promotion at work that results in you having to travel often and put in long hours of desk work, you may no longer be able to commit to the time it takes to train properly for a triathlon. Reassessing your goals allows you to make adjustments in your fitness training so that you are able to maintain a healthy balance between life and fitness training. Perhaps a mini triathlon would be more appropriate if training for a full triathlon is causing chronic levels of stress of fatigue. Inspirational quotes for exercise can only take you so far. Reassessing goals helps you take a more holistic approach to keep goals and life in balance.
- Work with a personal trainer to make sure your training is in alignment with your personal fitness goals. Many individuals succumb to peer pressure and sign up for activities or fitness programs because their friends have convinced them to do it, but it serves no purpose to the original fitness goals you’ve set for yourself to achieve. Health and nutrition coach training or fitness professionals with a health consultant certification certificate can help ensure that your personal fitness goals are identified, and a solid custom training plan is created to help you reach your goals and stay on track with your fitness training. A personal trainer and nutritionist can work together to ensure you’re getting the right type of training and the proper nutrition to support that level of training to help you achieve success in meeting your fitness goals.
