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Setting SMART Fitness Goals
One of the simplest steps you can take when you
embark on improving your health and wellness is
setting your goals. Right? Actually, creating
goals should not be taken lightly. To improve
your success rate with achieving your objectives,
you need to create a specific roadmap.
You need to set up SMART goals. They need to
be: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant
and Time-Oriented.
You need to state specifically what you want
to accomplish. The goal should be very easy to
measure. There should be no question at all whether
or not it has been reached. It should be something
you can truly obtain, not just an unrealistic
dream. It should be relevant to your needs. You
should include a deadline.
So, the clichés of simply wanting to "drop
some pounds", "fit back into your jeans"
or "get bigger biceps", don't fit into
the SMART model. Reworking these vague goals,
though, will help you get and stay on the road
to better fitness.
The first example is losing some weight. Here
is the reworked SMART goal:
. Specific: Lose 15 pounds.
. Measurable: Weigh yourself now and again when
you your deadline has arrived.
. Attainable: Consider whether it is realistic
for your body to lose 15 pounds or are you already
at a healthy weight.
. Relevant: Will losing the 15 pounds truly be
beneficial to your life?
. Time-Oriented: Determine an actual date when
you should achieve the weight loss.
The next example is getting back into your jeans.
Here is the reworked SMART goal:
. Specific: Lose 5 inches from my waist.
. Measurable: You can track your waist measurement
with a simple tape measure.
. Attainable: If losing 5 inches will put you
at a waist size that only supermodels have, then
it may not be realistic for you.
. Relevant: Is losing those inches and fitting
into a pair of jeans something that will positively
change your life?
. Time-Oriented: Choose the date for when your
goal should be met.
The final example is increasing your bicep size.
Here is the reworked SMART goal:
Specific: Increase your overall lean body percentage
to: 83%.
Measurable: Lean body mass versus fat can be
measured through various means but may require
the assistance of a trainer or a clinic.
Attainable: Ensure that you are not seeking a
lean body percentage that will lower your body
fat too far which can have negative effects.
Relevant: Will it improve your health and overall
quality of life.
About the author: Lynn Bode is a certified personal
trainer specializing in Internet-based fitness
programs. She founded Workouts For You, which
provides affordable online exercise programs that
are custom designed for each individual. Visit:
http://www.workoutsforyou.com for free fitness
tips and a sample workout program.
Fitness professionals, learn how to support your
clients online, visit: http://www.trainerforce.com
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