If you have finally decided that this year, you’re getting on top of your fitness game, the right time to start is yesterday. However, jumping in headfirst without a concrete direction will not get you far and, sooner than later, you’ll lose your motivation. This is why it’s important to set the right goals at the beginning of your fitness journey. Here are a few tips that will help women set solid fitness goals and achieve them with ease.
Be specific
It’s not enough to decide that, for instance, you will do Pilates every day or go for a run whenever you have time. Concrete goals are important so that you can keep treading the path towards them without distraction. Your fitness goals should be measurable: this will allow you to keep better track of what you are capable of and boost your progress. It will also help you keep yourself accountable and not skip going to the gym when you don’t feel like you need it.
Keep it consistent
When talking about fitness, consistency is everything. Make it a point to move every day, even if you don’t have the time or the capacity for a full-fledged gym session. Make sure you account for consistency when setting your goals and keep yourself to the plan you came up with.
Prioritize your health
In this day and age, there is so much focus on our appearance that it may happen that health takes the backseat. However, your health and wellbeing should be the first priority when taking up exercise. So, forget about starving yourself and focus on what your body tells you. Prioritizing your health when setting your fitness goals will pay off in the long term.
Make it achievable
If you are still at the beginning of your fitness journey, your goal might seem distant and unreachable, and all and all, impossible to achieve. This can be really demotivating, which is why it’s important to set smaller, more achievable goals as well, especially when you’re just starting out. Break down your main goal into smaller, more manageable steps and create milestones that you can focus on for the time being. Even if you are ambitious, stay realistic and you’ll be able to experience a sense of achievement that will keep you going.
Add variety
Focusing your fitness goals on one single thing might not be the best idea. Not only will you get tired of this activity, but your body will also get too used to it. You would reap a multitude of benefits from adding a bigger mixture of exercises into your routine. So, switch things up every now and then to keep your sessions interesting.
Watch your posture
Exercise can help you improve your flexibility, strength, and posture, but only if you do it right. Your form during your workout sessions is paramount to avoiding injury that can get between you and your fitness goals. So, always ask for feedback from your instructor and make sure you’re doing it right. If you’re working out at home, consider investing in some fitness equipment such as a squat rack that will make your workouts more seamless and allow you to maintain the right postures throughout.
Give yourself a break
As we already mentioned, staying realistic when setting your goals is paramount. Aiming too high too soon and working out without breaks is not healthy. Giving yourself a hard time when you’re having a bad day and can’t perform as well as you expect of yourself or pushing yourself too hard when you’re on your period will also only make you feel worse. Be gentle with yourself and respect those rest days in your schedule. You need to take these things into account when setting your goals.
Remind yourself why you’re doing this
Finally, most likely, there are going to be low points during your journey where you don’t feel like getting up for your run or making a trip to the gym. During those times, you should try to remind yourself why exactly you are doing this. Therefore, your goals should include the “why” as much as they include the “what.” Keep a workout journal where you can note down your thoughts, feelings, and achievements and it will always be there to remind you of why you want to better yourself with exercise.
Remember that your work does not end when you reach your fitness goals. Keep working consistently and you will reach new heights.
Author Bio
Allan Wickerson is a passionate blog writer who is extremely keen on writing about health, fitness, lifestyle, home improvement, and technology. His exclusive hobby is surfing the net to find amazing articles that can inspire him with some fresh ideas for article writing. He loathes being a common person who wastes his time. Follow him on Twitter to read some of his other articles.
