Breaking Up Is Hard To...

Breaking old habits is not very easy. If it were, when it comes to reaching fitness goals everyone would be in shape.  The saying goes that practicing a particular activity for 21 days becomes a habit. This may be why so many people never reach their fitness goals. That and the lack of truthful knowledge about working out.

 

 

Procrastination is never a good characteristic to have. Don't just simply talk about it, be about it. Challenge yourself to set a realistic time to workout and realistic fitness goals. Don't expect too much from yourself and don't just jump in head first. Remember slow and steady win the race, so in the end breaking up from those old habits won't be so easy to do.

 

Willie Owens, FACTS Fitness Personal Trainer

How to set "SMART" goals

Achieving weight loss is one of the most common reasons people seek the gym. It is also one that is often and easily broken. So how do we set goals that actually motivate us to achieve them? I love to use the SMART goal tool!

“S” stands for specific. Your goals must be much more specific than " healthier or abs"if you actually plan on achieving them. Devise a game plan - a play by play of how you plan to get to the end result.

“M” means measurable. If your goals are not measurable, how are you to know when you achieve them? When to reward yourself? “Better” or “healthier” is not a measurement. Good goals must be quantitative as in “I will do cardio for 30 minutes three days a week for the next two weeks” or “I will replace processed foods with specific unprocessed choices."

As you meet your small, incremental goals, celebrate and set revised, measurable objectives that will move you towards your long-term goal.

“A” stands for attainable. Make your goals challenging, but realistic.

“R” stands for relevant. Set goals that get you to where you want to go!

“T” stands for timely. This is a big one! Make a visual to show your goals- a calendar or vision board work awesome! Giving yourself a strict deadline will motivate you to stick with your goals.

Written by Amy Wimer, Personal Trainer for FACTS Fitness