5 Tactics for Setting SMART Fitness Goals

Happy First Day of Fall!

I thought we would celebrate the beginning of my favorite season with one of my favorite topics – goals. I’m going to share with you 5 tactics for setting smart fitness goals.

We tend to focus on goal-setting when a new year is approaching, but goals are something we should constantly be evaluating and reflecting on. As we begin this new season, I encourage you to review the goals you set at the beginning of the year, and perhaps set some new goals specific to this time of year.

1. Set Specific Goals

When you’re setting goals, you need to be as specific as possible. If you want to increase your running speed or lose some weight, you need to get into detail. Instead of saying, “My goal is to be a faster runner,” say, “My goal is to run a mile in 5 minutes.” Your aim should be to set goals that are as clear as possible. Anyone can day dream, but when you know exactly what you want and work towards it, that makes you unique.

2. Make them Measurable

One of my favorite tactics for setting smart fitness goals, is to make my goals measurable. I’ve definitely learned from experience that if my goals are not measurable, I will become discouraged and give up. Don’t just say your goals, write them down. If you are specific and know what it is that you want to achieve, it will be easy to measure your goals. Continuing from our previous example, if you want to run a 5 minute mile, then you should have a notebook or journal where you can record your running time to see how you are improving. Making goals measurable is definitely important for them to be effective.

3. Assign an Accountability Partner

I can confidently say, that being accountable for your goals practically guarantees you will achieve them. Of these 5 tactics for setting smart fitness goals, this is one you don’t want to miss. It is so important to have an accountability partner. When I was trying to lose weight on my own, it was definitely more challenging then when my sister and I partnered up and supported each other. If you can entrust a friend or a group of friends to join you or just be your accountability, you will be much more likely to succeed.

4. Recognize Your Limits and Be Realistic

Have you seen that quote that says, “Find your limits and push them.”?

While I definitely agree with this, I also think that when setting goals you need to be very careful. Dream big, but don’t defeat yourself. Realize that you need to stretch yourself and grow, but be realistic. If your ultimate goal is to be the fastest runner in history… that’s awesome! But you might not achieve that in a month… or even a year. By setting smaller, more realistic goals, you’ll continue to be motivated by your continuous victories. Personally, when I’ve tried losing weight and made it my goal to lose maybe 5-10 pounds, that was a lot more challenging than setting a goal to lose 1 pound each week. It may seem small, but it adds up and eventually I accomplished my ultimate goal.

5. Try to Set A Time

If a goal without a plan is just a wish, then a goal without a deadline is nothing but a dream. Deadlines. I know, it’s a word many people may cringe at. It seems like most people have issues with time constraints. But the truth is… we need them. Setting goals that are time-bound is crucial. If you only remember on of the 5 tactics to setting smart fitness goals, this is the one I want you to remember. Make your goals time-bound. As I said before, without a deadline your goal is just a dream. It far too easy to keep blowing it off if you don’t have a specific time in mind. “Yeah… my goal this year is to lose 20 pounds.” That’s great, but when this year? By the end of the year or by summer? Give yourself a time. It’s good for you to feel the pressure and know that you are working towards something.

 

Alright, now that you know the 5 tactics for setting smart fitness goals, it’s time to go set them! I have a lot of goals, but right now I really want to increase my flexibility and be able to do a split again. I lost that ability and I am determined to get it back! Now it’s your turn. I want to hear what your goals are! Be sure to comment below with your #1 fitness goal.