The Importance of Fitness

One might wonder, what is the point of setting fitness goals? Surely, you can adopt a healthy lifestyle without them. Well, not for long. Setting goals that are realistic ensure that one doesn’t lose motivation during the fitness regime.

Here is why you must set fitness goals.

1.    Aids in keeping up with the lifestyle

It is hard to know whether one has succeeded or failed at something unless clear metrics are defining the two. Setting realistic fitness goals, like exercising 30 minutes a day, can allow people to keep tabs on their progress. Also, planning ahead and breaking down fitness regimes into smaller tasks and exercises help give direction to the routine. This increases the chance of it being religiously followed.

2.    Improved efficiency of the workout

Setting realistic goals, writing them out, and planning them helps in improving the effectiveness of the exercise. Rather than wandering in the gym, not knowing what to do, setting fitness goals and having a proper plan ensures that one knows what they should be doing to achieve their objectives.

3.    A source of motivation

One of the biggest reasons why people quit a healthy life easily is that they fail to see results. This is because they often set unrealistic fitness goals. This is why it is crucial not just to set goals but to set practical ones. When this is done appropriately, the goals will be achieved. And the fact that they are being achieved helps in motivating people to push forward.

Questions to ask when setting exercise goals

To write practical and doable exercise goals, it is essential to spend time thinking about your exercise objectives. Here are the key questions one must ask himself/herself when setting exercise goals.

• What do you wish to achieve by the end of your regime? Do you want to lose weight or maintain it?
• Are you interested in bulking or cutting?
• How much time can you allocate to daily exercising?
• Are there any limitations that might affect your exercise routine?
• What is your current diet and how can you alter it to suit your fitness goals?

These are just some of the plethora of questions that help in structuring realistic fitness goals. Asking these questions help in framing goals that are easier to follow than goals that are made out of enthusiasm.

Tips on setting exercise goals

To set realistic goals that one is likely to follow, here are some tips that one can use.

Begin by determining your motivation and readiness

Before you begin hitting the gym, it is essential to gauge whether you are ready for the exercise program. This doesn’t just include mental readiness but also physical readiness. Even after setting your mind to it, your body might not be ready for a tough routine. This is why it is advised that you seek the advice of a doctor. Show your planned regimen to them. They will be able to tell you if you are healthy enough to do it.

Plan, plan, plan

When setting your goal, it is vital to plan effectively. Setting a goal doesn’t mean saying vague statements like “I will lose weight by the end of these two months.” Instead, your goals must be quantifiable. You must make a plan about how you will achieve those goals. There are three questions you must ask yourself here. Ask yourself at what time will you exercise and what type of exercise will you do. Thirdly, decide how much time you will spend exercising. Write down these details and stick by them regardless of how lazy you feel later on.

Have a community around you

Working out alone can be both challenging and tedious. However, if one brings their friends along the journey, it is bound to get fun. When setting exercise goals, see if any of your friends are available to exercise with you. The stronger your support system, the higher the chance of success of your workout regime.

Don’t be too hard on yourself

Rather than treating the goal as something you have to achieve at all cost, think of it as a resolution you are striving towards. Even if you don’t reach the target to the tee, that’s okay. Your effort is what matters. Also, in the beginning, it is harder to achieve hard goals. This is why it is advised that one takes it easy during the initial days. If you exercise too much initially, you might burn out and lose motivation. Instead, start slow. Also, ensure that your goals are realistic. Don’t set challenging goals at the start. Start easy and then slowly increase the hardness level.

Exercise…Be Healthy….Live Happily.