Get ready to crush your fitness goals like a pro! Our guide will show you how to set achievable targets and stay motivated every step of the way.

June 2023. This article is independently written by Shelby Golding. All opinions given are hers. Shelby has been certified as a personal trainer and nutritional specialist since 2007. In 2008, she found her passion for writing about these topics and hasn't looked back.

Are you ready to crush your fitness goals? Then, you've come to the right place. Whether you want to run a 5k, lift weights, or feel healthier overall, setting and achieving your fitness goals is a fantastic way to boost your confidence and improve your well-being.

So, let's get started! Grab your favorite workout gear and dive into these tips and tricks for making your fitness dreams a reality.

How to Set Fitness Goals

Achieving your fitness goals starts when you set them; you need to know what you want and be realistic about getting there. So before we outline how to work towards your goals, let's look at how to set them.

How many times has this happened to you? First, you decide you want to get in shape, become a bodybuilder, run a marathon, or do something else. Then you choose how quickly you'd like to get there and feel motivated by the short timeframe you think you can do it. And you start! But before you've reached your deadline, you realize you're not progressing as quickly as you'd like, get discouraged, and fall off the wagon.

You're not alone if you've done this at least a few times. It's inevitable if you're setting unrealistic fitness goals without systematically approaching this crucial first step. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you establish fitness goals you can reach:

Define One Specific Goal

Start by determining what – exactly – you want to achieve. Your goal should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, instead of saying, "I want to get fit," you might say, "I want to lose 10 pounds," or "I want to be able to run a 5K race." And limit yourself to one goal at a time so you don't overwhelm yourself.

Assess Where You're At

To understand how far you have to go, you need to evaluate your current fitness level. This assessment will help you gauge where you are starting from and track your progress. You can consider things like:

• Body Measurements
• Strength
• Flexibility
• Endurance
• Overall Health

This step is best done with a personal trainer, healthcare professional, or both. Unless you're trained in health and fitness, knowing where you're at will be challenging. And by enlisting professional help, you'll be more likely to stick to your goals.

Break It Down

Divide your goal into manageable milestones to make it less overwhelming and help you stay motivated. The number of milestones you need depends on your destination, but starting with at least six is best.

For example, if you want to lose 10 pounds in six months, you might aim to lose around 2 pounds a month until you get there.

Now for the critical part – ask your healthcare professional or personal trainer if these milestones are reasonable! They'll tell you if you're aiming too high, if your milestones are perfect, or if you can step it up.

Create a Plan

Now it's time to develop a structured plan that outlines the steps you'll take to achieve your goal. Include aspects such as exercise routines, nutrition guidelines, rest days, and additional activities supporting your goal.

It's also best to consult with a fitness professional or personal trainer for expert advice and guidance at this step. Exercise science is a complex field of study, and it's difficult for people who aren't trained to gauge what they should be doing.

How to Achieve Your Fitness Goal

Now that you have a realistic goal and the support of a personal trainer or your healthcare professional, it's time to start working toward it! Here's how to get moving:

Track Your Progress

Record your workouts, weight, measurements, diet, achievements, and anything else involved in your plan and goal. This practice takes extra time but allows you to track and acknowledge your progress, even when you're discouraged. And it'll help you identify areas where you need to make adjustments.

You can choose from various methods to track your progress, such as physical workout and diet journals, fitness apps, or wearable devices like fitness trackers. Whatever you pick, be consistent with how you track your progress and show your progress to your healthcare professional or personal trainer when you check in with them.

Motivate Yourself

Find ways to motivate yourself throughout your fitness journey. For example, many people like to set rewards they can look forward to. This means choosing small, healthy rewards for specific milestones and reminding yourself about them when you're feeling down.

You can also join fitness challenges or groups for accountability and support. And it's best to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share similar goals whenever possible.

In addition, remind yourself of the benefits of achieving your goals, even when you're already feeling motivated.

Adjust and Adapt

Be open to adjusting your goals and plans as you progress. Your needs and circumstances may change, and your body might respond differently than you'd hoped. If you face setbacks or plateaus, analyze why it's happened and modify your approach if necessary. It's best to do this with the help of your personal trainer or healthcare professional.

Likewise, if you achieve a milestone sooner than expected, set a new goal to keep challenging yourself! When you do, remember to follow the steps we outlined for setting realistic goals to ensure you get there.

Celebrate Your Success

When you reach a goal, celebrate! And plan your celebration beforehand so you can look forward to it. This is a larger version of motivating yourself with little rewards for reaching milestones.

Recognizing your hard work and rewarding yourself for accomplishing your goal is essential. This boosts your confidence and reinforces your commitment to your health and fitness.

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