If you’re starting to think about all the new fitness goals you want to crush, we got you covered. Fitness goals tend to be one of those things that you get super pumped about, but once that initial adrenaline rush fizzles out, they seem to fall to the wayside. If this sounds all too familiar, you’re going to want in on this.
We’re spilling all the deets on not only the importance of setting fitness goals but how they can also be total game changers when it comes to your overall goal crushing outcome.
Get That Mindset Right
First, we can’t talk about fitness goals without talking about mindset. Mindset is literally everything when it comes to any goal or lifestyle change. You have to get your mind right before you go after anything—go in with a poor attitude, and you’re already setting yourself up for a rollercoaster of struggle and disappointment.
So, when you set your fitness goal, make your mindset work in your favor. How? It all starts with finding your why. Think about why you want to start a new fitness journey, or why you want to set new fitness goals. Once you get really clear about it, write it down (where you can see it daily).
Another mindset tip is to look at fitness as something you get to do, not something that you have to do. Changing the lens a bit and then reflecting on how ah-mazing fitness and regular exercise makes you feel will make it seem way less of a chore and more of a daily act of self-care.
The bottom line—whenever you start to feel yourself getting overwhelmed, or you start to feel like a negative Nancy, remember to get that mindset in check. It will make the radical shift you need to get a headstart in your fitness game.
Making Your Goals Realistic
Think about the last time you set a goal for yourself—was it realistic for YOU? Setting fitness goals that will stick requires you to make them realistic. To do this, look at your current schedule. How many days per week can you really fit in a good sweat, and for how long?
Maybe your schedule doesn’t allow for an hour at the gym multiple times per week, but it allows for a quick sweat sesh at home while the kiddos are napping. Map out how many days per week is going to work for you.
Another important part of being realistic is the actual goal you set. If you’re going into your fitness journey, hoping to lose weight, don’t put an excessive amount of pressure on yourself within an unrealistic time frame. Remember that slow and steady wins the race and that health is a journey, not a final destination.
So long as you are showing up to your workouts on the reg, you are doing something really great for yourself. Don’t get overly caught up with deadlines and pressure—this will only make sticking to your goals that much harder.
Track Your Goals For Success
There’s truly nothing more satisfying than looking back at your progress and seeing how far you’ve come. It also acts as really great motivation to keep pushing forward.
A great way to track your fitness goals is to take some progress pictures. Take some photos before you start your fitness journey, and then every month or so. This will be a great way to really see how much progress you have made because let’s be honest, we don’t always see all of the wonderful changes simply by looking in the mirror.
Trying to boost cardio endurance and need something a bit different to track your fitness goals? Why not time your runs each time you head out for a jog? See how far and how fast you can go and track your progress along the way. It will serve as a great way to see your cardio endurance improve as you continue to train.
Overcoming a Setback
Ok, so now that we know about the importance of finding our why, keeping our fitness goals realistic, and the importance of tracking our progress, let’s talk setbacks. It’s not something anyone really wants to talk about, but setbacks happen to everyone.
Maybe you took a weekend vacation, and you skimped on your workouts and are feeling a bit unmotivated to jump back in. Or, maybe you took the holidays off from exercise completely and are feeling totally out of shape and like you are starting from square one.
If you’re stuck in this rut, the first thing you need to do is recognize the setback and get that mindset in check. (Read here where we share five hacks to get your fitness levels back after a break.)
Second, know that setbacks happen—it’s a normal part of life. Instead of dwelling on it, just get back into the game. Even if pressing play on that HIIT workout is the last thing you want to do, push yourself, and just do it! You will seriously feel ten times better once you get that sweat sesh in. And, once you get a few more workouts under your belt, you will feel like you’re back into the swing of things.
Sometimes, starting is the hardest part (for real). So, just start where you are and keep moving forward.
Here’s to Your New Fitness Journey
If you’re ready to begin your fitness journey, we are here to support you 100%. You got this, and with some mindset shifts, some realistic goals, and a little progress tracking, you’ll feel like you totally got this fitness thing in no time.
