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“Create S.M.A.R.T. Fitness Goals”

      Imagine this. You’ve finally decided to take that much needed vacation and you’re going to a tropical island in the Caribbean. You make no plans. You don’t pack any bags, you make no reservations, you simply arrive at the airport and attempt to get a ticket at a random airline counter. To make matters worse you don’t tell anyone at work, you haven’t worked it into your budget and you don’t even know which island you’re trying to get to.

Unfortunately, this is the way many people go about trying to create a healthy lifestyle. They only know they want to “get in shape,” but they don’t stop to consider EXACTLY what that means and what it “looks” like (no pun intended). Your idea of being in shape, for instance, may not be the same as Lance Armstrong’s idea of being in shape, so the training regimen is not going to be the same.

The key is to develop S.M.A.R.T. goals. A SMART goal is one that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-conscious. Consider your current lifestyle, any healthy concerns, how you want to feel, and what you want to be able to do. Use the following guidelines to help you develop your SMART goals and achieve the success you desire:

Specific - Be exact. Answer the questions who, what, when, where, why, and how. For example, a general goal may be to get in shape, but a specific goal is to workout at a specific place, at an exact time.

Measurable - Establish the concrete data you will use to quantify your results. Using the above example, your measurement is the number of days you actually workout, the general recommendation being 3-5 times per week. Ask yourself questions like how much, how many, how will success be recognized.

Attainable - Decide what you will need to do to achieve your dreams. Think about how you will focus your time, money, skills, and abilities. How can you create opportunities for success? Saying that you will workout on your own at 5 am, for instance, when you are clearly not a morning person will almost guarantee failure because you won’t enjoy your commitment. A better opportunity may be created in committing to working out with a partner before going home in the evening.

Realistic - Make sure the goal is one that you are not only willing and able to work towards, but also one that you believe you can accomplish with effort. In keeping with our example, establishing a program that requires you to workout for 3 hours, six days per week may not fit very well into a busy lifestyle. Working out during lunchtime, especially if the activities can be done in or near your office may increase your chances for compliance.

Time-conscious - Establish a time frame. A time frame will help to create a sense of urgency to help make your goal more tangible. This will anchor your goal and help you focus your energy towards your success. Many times a period of 6-8 weeks is long enough for you to create and solidify your new habits, but short enough for you to assess your level of success. Choose periods that works best for what you are trying to achieve, or conclude with specific events to participate in.

Keep in mind that a better understanding of what you want to achieve will better equip you to make the decisions best suited to your needs. Should you join a gym? Will you go? Do you know what to do? Are you more comfortable in a group setting? Do you need a trainer? The most important thing is to get started. Begin making healthy choices and be consistent. That way whether you’re trying to make it to that island beach resort, or up the stairs without huffing and puffing, you’ll be on your way to creating a plan you can be happy with.

Live. Learn. Move. Thrive!

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