One of the many reasons you may not reach your fitness goals is because they are impossible to achieve in the amount of time you are giving yourself to complete them. Not seeing that number on the scale by a certain date or not working out as much as you said you would may discourage you; but fear not, you probably just need to sit down and write down your goals realistically. Don’t think you can do that or not sure where to begin? We’re here to help you find your way.
What are your goals?
First, let’s sit down and truly consider your goals. Do you want to lose weight or gain muscle? Do you want to lose some weight for a special occasion or do you need to dock thirty pounds? All of the answers to these questions will determine your overarching goals and develop your routine to help you get started on the right track.
What are your specific goals?
Needing to “lose weight” is too general of a term. You need to really be honest with yourself and figure out how much weight it is you need to lose and what you are going to do to lose that certain amount of weight. The healthy way to losing weight is dropping anywhere from a half a pound to two pounds of weight a week. So if you need to lose ten pounds, then it should take you up to ten weeks to see your results, if you stick to a healthy diet combined with exercise.
Make sure you are accountable
Some people think this is hard because it’s time consuming. However, if you want to make sure you are doing everything correctly with eating, then you need to keep a journal of everything you put into your body. MyFitnessPal is an app that offers easy access to your personal food journal no matter where you are. You can set up your goals, weight, height, track progress, and even add friends to keep you motivated.
Are you doing more than the bare minimum in the gym?
If you want to see results, you have to put in the work in the kitchen and in the gym. Make sure you switch up your workouts so you don’t hit a plateau and get discouraged. You also want to make sure you are pushing yourself. Setting weekly goals in the gym will make you feel more confident in your fitness level as well. If you are fine with running a half of a mile without stopping, try to be able to run a full mile without stopping by the end of the week. Even if you think you can’t do it, you can; it’s all in your head!
Have you set up deadlines?
If you want to make sure you reach all of your goals, you need to have deadlines in place. This will not only help you stay on track, but it will allow you to push yourself that much harder. Even if you already have a large deadline set in place, set mini-deadlines as well. You may think you want to lose all twenty pounds in six months, but try to set goals in increments of five pounds. How long should it take me to lose the first five pounds? What will I need to do to reach that five-pound weight loss? These aren’t hypothetical questions — they are questions you need to ask yourself, and answer!
Fitness goals and a fitness journey are not always easy, but they’re always worth it. As long as you are working hard, setting realistic goals, and maintaining a diet that allows room for dessert every now and then, you will be well on your way to reaching your goals. Here at Balance Fitness, we have been in business for more than two decades in NorCal for a reason. If you’re in need of a consultation or interested in learning about gym equipment, feel free to give us a call at (650) 348-1259 in San Mateo or (408) 244-3010 in Santa Clara or contact us online at any time!
