Have you tried over and over again to lose weight or start a fitness program? You get started, try really hard, then don’t see results. It can be so frustrating!
Does that sound like you? Do you make goals every year to live a healthier lifestyle? Eat better, get fit, lose weight? Only to give up in a month or two, get injured, or just feel that it’s just too hard? If so, it’s time to make a change in your approach to your fitness and weight loss resolutions.
It’s time to create SMART goals that will help you be successful in your fitness and weight loss journey.
What are SMART Goals?
Learn how creating SMART Goals can help you achieve your fitness and weight loss goals. #fitness #weightlossClick To TweetThe problem with most goals is that they are generally not specific enough. Saying, “I want to lose weight in 2025,” is a great goal, but it can seem overwhelming. SMART Goals will help you break down your goals into manageable pieces and help you be successful.
SMART Goals
Let’s see how using SMART Goals will help you lose that weight (or achieve any goal that you choose).
- Your goal must be SPECIFIC. Losing weight is pretty specific so that’s a good start. You can think a little about how you want to do it as well. Will you need to change your nutrition and exercise habits?
- Your goal must be MEASURABLE. Just saying that you want to lose weight is not enough. You need to know how much weight you want to lose and how long you expect it to take. Otherwise, how will you know when you’ve achieved it?
- Your goal must be ATTAINABLE. Before you decide how much you want to lose, make sure that your goal is attainable. Picking a number like 50 pounds could be overwhelming. Most experts say that losing 5-10% of your body weight is achievable for most people. So instead, try saying “I will lose 8% of my body weight.”
- Your goal must be RELEVANT. Your goal should be something that you want, not that you’re doing to try to please someone else. If weight loss is your goal, go for it. Also, make sure that this is the right time in your life to set forth on this journey.
- Your goal must be TIME-BOUND. Your goal must have an end-point. If your goal is to lose 8% of your body weight, plan a time schedule, losing one-two pounds per week and set that as your time frame.
Now you have set your SMART Goal. You can say, “I will lose 8% of my body weight in four months.”
Now that you’ve started, you can set other SMART Goals to help you achieve your main goal. For example, “I will join a gym and work out three days a week,” “I will bring lunch to work twice a week instead of eating out,” or “I will walk for 30 minutes five days a week.”
Have you ever tried using SMART Goals to help you achieve your personal goals?
And Now It’s Time for the Runners’ Roundup!
Linkup with the #RunnersRoundup with @DeborahBrooks14, @milebymilerun, @runningwithpugs, and me! Bring your best #runningrelated posts, find new blogs to follow, and share your love of #running! Click To Tweet
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
Fit Five Friday with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida
Ultimate Coffee Date with Deborah and Coco
Lisa @ Mile by Mile
I love using smart goals! They definitely help to make goals that are more concrete and ultimately more successful.
Debbie Woodruff
They really are a helpful way to get what you want to achieve. It’s almost like a map.
Deborah Brooks
Specific and measurable goals are key! Also being well rested is beneficial to any other health goal
Debbie Woodruff
I really think sleep is the most important thing for just about everything.