Monday, March 25, 2013

Your fitness depends on how smart your goals are

By Elizabeth Thompkins


You don't have a healthy and a fit body, just like that. There is no miracle for keeping yourself fit and healthy. But all you have to do is to stay focused and work towards it. You would have to be sincere and serious to be able to follow the regime and whatever targets that you have set for yourself. If you want to achieve the target weight that you have set for yourself, and want to tone up your body, by losing or maintaining your existing weight, then all you have to do is set goals and targets and follow them religiously. Your target or goal is the guide whereby you want to action your plans to achieve them so as to be fit and have a healthy body and mind.

Meaning of smart

The smart goal is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bounded. Let us discuss how this concept can be used by you to attain your objective.

S---Specific

You goal should always be specific and vagueness should always be shunned in it. It should always be clear and recognized. If the goal is vague it will never guide you in the right direction. You will need strong objective that will make strong goals for you. This type of goals is scientific and practical and helps in achieving the goal. The following example will make it clear.

Wrong approach--- I gained 15 pounds last year and I want to lose all of it now. It is likely that this statement would be brushed off lightly as it is hardly specific about the manner of losing the extra weight.

Correct approach --- I shall attend the gym and workout inside or outside the gym for 40-60 minutes thrice a week, to lose those additional 15 pounds.

It is clear that the right approach will make the goal and the objective more specific.

M---Measurable

The advancement made needs to be measured, so that you could evaluate your achievement. The goal is losing 15 pounds, thus you need to measure how much you need to lose weekly or fortnightly. Thus if you see positive results, after you measure progress would motivate you further.

A ---Attainable

Whatever goal you set, it should be attainable. Setting an unrealistic and failing to achieve it would only lead to frustration. Give yourself adequate time to attain your goal in a healthy and realistic manner. If you are not sure, consult those who have achieved your goal in a realistic and healthy manner.

R ---Realistic

You should never set those goals that are not practical and will be hard for people like you to attain. They must be motivated and practical to encourage you.

T--- Time

A deadline would always create urgency. Thus you need to set your goals against time. You need to be specific in saying whether you want to lose 15 pounds in 3 months or to lose some extra weight in the next few months.

The success will depend upon the goal set and the sincerity to follow them.




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