Fit Tip: Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Monday Morning Fit Tip:

SET S.M.A.R.T. GOALS

The goal of becoming a healthier person should trump all other goals.  Weight loss, improved muscle tone, and increased muscle mass are all side effects of improved health.  But sometimes you need other, more specific goals to help keep you motivated.  When setting your goals, keep these S.M.A.R.T. tips in mind:

SPECIFIC

When setting goals, it’s important to be specific.  For example, “I will do 30 minutes of cardio, 5 days a week this month” is better than “I will be more healthy” because it gives you a specific goal, activity needed to reach that goal, and a deadline.  Better yet, plan the days and activities you will do to reach that goal.

MEASURE

Make your goal easy to measure.  “Do 10 pushups a day” or “walk 30 minutes” are easy to measure – you know if you completed your goal today or not.

Track your progress with a fitness journal.  Record everything you think, feel and do in regards to your goal.  Then, when you reach your goal, you can look back at exactly what you needed to do to get there.  Keeping a journal also increases your accountability; if you have to write it down, you’re less likely to stray.  It’s no fun eating a cheeseburger and fries if you’re going to have to write it down later.