Do you have realistic fitness goals? As the head trainer of Cross Kickboxing of Morristown, I meet a lot of people who sign up for fitness classes with unrealistic goals – and that’s a problem.
Setting unrealistic and unattainable fitness goals for yourself can get in the way of you getting fit.
Let’s talk about why that is by considering a hypothetical situation.
Imagine someone who signs up for an aerobics class hoping to lose 50 pounds over the course of three months. The problem with that goal is that the timeframe isn’t realistic. Most experts recommend losing no more than two pounds per week. Add that to the fact that weight loss usually requires a combination of dietary modifications and exercise and you can see why this goal might be a problem.
A good fitness goal is SMART.
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time-bound
The goal I mentioned above ticks three of the boxes in that it is specific, measurable, and time-bound – but it is neither achievable nor realistic. If the person who sets the goal is disappointed at the end of three months, as they almost certainly will be, they may suffer a setback on their fitness journey.
A better way to approach weight loss would be to set a series of short-term goals starting with turning exercise into a habit by attending regular fitness classes. Then you might set a realistic monthly weight loss goal. You should adjust your goals as you go if you need to.
Other fitness goals to consider include:
- Inches lost
- Body fat percentage
- Endurance
- Reps (e.g. doing 100 squats in a row or lifting a specified weight)
If you’re struggling to set SMART goals for your fitness journey, please let us know! We’re happy to help you choose the right goals.