Setting Realistic Fitness Goals

GOALS

How can a word which represents feels of gratification and pride be so frightening when it comes to our health and fitness?!

As we grow up we learn about setting goals, often we fail at these goals, not because we didn't try but because the goal itself was actually unattainable or too big on its own, we didn't have the small goals in place to help us on our way to our big goal or we simply didn't give our self a realistic goal to achieve. Having a goal to 'become a millionaire' is great, but its unachievable without the stepping stone goals to guide us to this major goal. There are so many considerations to take into account, the 'who's, what's, where's, when's', overwhelming isn't it, now wonder so many give up and feel disheartened by the process, when you just keep idling along your not disappointed, but are you challenging yourself at all by doing this?

Goals are designed to challenge ourselves, something to aim for, a purpose even.  They help us push just that bit further than what we normally would and give us the motivation to strive to do just that little bit better, as long as we don't set ourselves up for failure by setting these goals too high with no safety net to ensure that we are caught before we hit thr ground if we happen to slip en route to the goal!

Goals should help give you a purpose in what you are doing, something to drive your motivation and keep you on track, they shouldn't make you feel insecure and like you 'failed' because you didn't reach the end point.  To set a goal to loose 5kgs overnight while you were asleep or to run a marathon in a week (and you can't even run 2kms right now) is unrealistic and it does not provide you with any support or buffers, anyone who has achieved a huge goal in their lives will tell you, you must set realistic smaller goals that can be easily measured to reach your end point.

Start by breaking your big goal into smaller goals, ask yourself - what steps would I need to complete to get to the cherry on top?

Once you have determined what these are you could use something like the 'S.M.A.R.T Goal system to help you write up your goals so they are achieveable.

Using the 'SMART' goal setting system you will set yourself up with realistic & manageable goals for your fitness progress.

SMART goals are:

1. Specific - don't generalise - Who, What, Why. 
2. Measurable - How will your goal be measured?
3. Achievable - Be realistic with your goals and don't commit to too many goals at once.
4. Relevant - Is the goal necessary in your development?
5. Time-Based - set your self an attainable time frame that will still challenge yourself

By setting realistic, measurable, achievable goals that are relevant to the big picture you for see you can easily plan out the steps required to achieve the goal within a specific time frame. Thus reducing your chances of failing and then relapsing on any progress made so far!

The BCMWP team are always on hand to help you map out your goals helping you achieve your fitness and health best!