Reach Your Fitness Goals this Summer by Making the Right Ones

[The following article, written by Travis White, was submitted to me for consideration for the blog. I feel this is a good message, and summer is quickly approaching for many of us. I hope you all enjoy and maybe even feel inspired. Thanks Travis!]

Photo via Pixabay

If you find it difficult to stick to your fitness goals, there is a chance that you are not making the right ones. When creating goals, it is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, so instead of blindly resolving to do whatever your friend does, set goals that are specific to you and your lifestyle. Consider these suggestions to help you make good decisions when it comes to setting your fitness goals for the summer ahead:

Find a reasonWe are all creatures of habit, so if you’ve been spending almost all your free time plonked on the couch, suddenly becoming a fitness fanatic is not a likely scenario. It is best to ease into it to reduce the likelihood of quitting. Try to identify a reason why you need to change your habits and get into an active lifestyle. Having an emotional reason to reach your fitness goals can be a game changer when it comes to actually sticking to them. Maybe you want your children to be proud of you and set a good example for them. Perhaps you want to look and feel more confident as you hit the beach or pool this summer. Identifying the reason you want to get fit gives your new lifestyle endeavor purpose and meaning.

Look back into the past
When setting fitness goals, ask yourself about the times you have succeeded in the past with similar promises. If you can remember instances when you ate healthier, exercised regularly, rested well, and so on for a reasonable period of time, it can give you helpful clues as to how to create a fitness plan that will be successful. As you think back on your successes, also take the time to reflect on your failures. A large part of sticking to a fitness plan is figuring out what works and what doesn’t, and everyone is different.

Pick activities that you enjoy
Rather than doing activities that you think you should be doing, plan to do more of the things that you love. If you hate running, go for a swim at an indoor pool in your area. If you find that it’s hard staying motivated when you’re working out on your own, take a class or ask a friend if they’ll start working out with you a couple times a week. Use the warmer weather as motivation to get outdoors and spice up your routine. Whatever fitness regimen you choose, it should be something you look forward to each day rather than dread. Be open to new ideas and try different activities, but remember that an expensive gym membership is not the only option that you have. Get creative in your quest to get fit.

Change one thing at a time
Replacing unhealthy lifestyle habits is not the easiest thing to do, and taking on too much at once can be overwhelming. Instead of trying to completely transform everything overnight, tackle one habit at a time so that you gradually reach your goal and have a lesser chance of quitting. You can set simple targets like not eating past 9 p.m. or going outdoors for half an hour every day instead of watching television. It is important to also identify any habits that are barriers to your success. For example, not getting enough sleep each night could leave you feeling tired and grumpy, which is a serious mood killer if you are trying to get fit. Look for natural ways to induce sleep such as setting a bedtime or taking a warm bath, rather than relying on sleeping pills. Perhaps you have a bad habit of eating when you are bored or overeating. Identifying those habits early on will make it easier to blow past your fitness goals.

Get help from a doctor
Many people don’t realize that they have certain health issues that act as obstacles to achieving their fitness goals. When making your goals, it is a good idea to consult your doctor first. Being healthy both physically and mentally is a good starting point for any lifestyle change or new workout regimen, and you need to be certain that any changes you make are safe.

Just the simple act of making the right goals can help you successfully keep long after the summer fun has ended. Remember to chalk out a plan depending on what works for you so that your goals are more practical and achievable. As time passes, don’t forget to take a step back, review your fitness goals, and tailor them according to your changing personal needs and capabilities.