I know, most people wait until January before they decide to set some goals, but why wait? Let's get a head start and get through the holidays ahead of the rest! Setting fitness goals is one of the best ways to ensure you will achieve them!
Here are some good guidelines to help you set some goals:
1) List five to seven behaviors that you need to improve upon or change that will help you to reach your goals.
What should you be doing that you aren't? What bad habits do you need to get rid of or what good habits should you start?
2) Focus on the first two things on your list (order your list from easiest to hardest).
Spend three weeks just focusing on those goals and achieving them so that they become habits!
3) Once those habits have been formed and you feel comfortable adding more, move on to the next two things on your list and so on.
Here are some examples that will give you some ideas:
I will do my strength training workouts at 6 a.m., three times per week for 30 minutes. Strength training is very beneficial to your body. It will not only help you to burn fat quicker, but will also help to keep you strong as you grow older.
I will get my interval workouts in three times per week for 20 minutes, following my strength training workouts. Intervals are the best way to lose body fat - a quick burst of exercise followed by a rest period of equal or more time. Repeat that sequence four to six times.
I will do core work at least two times each week. Everyone needs to have a strong core. With a strong core, you should never have any back problems.
I will only weigh in one time per week and keep the scale out of sight. Weighing yourself more than once per week is just a bad idea. Everyone's weight can change from day to day.
Or something as simple as: I will go to the gym three times per week. I will go for a walk four times each week. I will go to a yoga/pilates class two times each week.
Whatever your goals, just make sure that you are able to follow through with them. Otherwise, you are less likely to reach them and you will only get frustrated and give up.
So now it's YOUR turn to get to work. Write down your goals and see how much better you feel getting a jumpstart on YOUR New Year!
Angie Schumacher is a Certified Personal Trainer and Boot Camp Instructor in Colorado. She is the author of FatBlastingBootCamp.com. Visit her Web site HERE to sign up for the latest and greatest tips on fat burning, boosting your metabolism and getting rid of that belly fat. Receive your FREE report and transform that body in no time!