Secrets to a higher success rate in acheiving your goals!!

Knowing where you want to be is very important in terms of health and fitness goals. Without having a specific outcome in mind, you will not have a clear path to follow. But what is more important then the end goal, would be that ‘clear path’ I just mentioned. How do you plan on reaching that goal? What steps do you need to do to get to that result?

Everyone is probably guilty of making this one mistake: Setting great goals with full intentions of meeting them. Then going about it in a haphazard way with no particular plan only to stray off and then stop completely in frustration.

Sound familiar?

So before you become a victim again, lets erase all past failures from our minds and start with a clean slate. You can’t begin with any negative thoughts that may drag you down. You can only move forward from here…and you will! Let’s do some careful planning together shall we?

Step 1
Grab a sheet of paper and list a specific (make sure it is realistic! Don`t set yourself up for failure by making up a goal that already seems impossible, think baby steps) goal for these timeframes:
1 MONTH – examples: lose 1 lb a week, eat healthier meals throughout day…
3 MONTHS – examples: increase weights by 5 lbs or more, increase running/jogging/swimming/etc time by 10 mins without fatiguing, be fit ready to join community sport league for fun…
6 MONTHS – examples: fit into fave pair of jeans (or dress, suit, jacket…) from back in the day, hike the grind (or any of the great hike trails here!), join sun run (or other charity run/bike)…
1 YEAR – examples: lose 5 % bodyfat, decreased inches in waist or belly by XX amount, gained inches in chest or arms by XX amount, half marathon, …

Just remember, these are not set in stone. As you are training and working, you may progress faster or not as fast depending on your body type. So it is OKAY to re-evaluate and reset goals so that they pertain to your fitness level at the time. (ex: if you haven`t been able to increase your weights at all after 2 months, maybe change the goal to having increased by 1-2 lbs by the 3rd month instead of 5lbs OR if you have already reached 5lbs in 1 month, change the goal to an increase of 10lbs by the 3rd month..and so forth)

Step 2
Now take a look at each specific goal and write at least THREE different strategies you will do that will help you reach that goal.
Here is an example for 1 MONTH:
Goal: lose 1 lb a week and eat healthier meals to speed up metabolism
Strategy 1: hire trainer and schedule 2 workouts a week and 1 on my own
Strategy 2: always start with a well balanced breakfast no later than 30 mins after
waking, high in complex carbs
Strategy 3: introduce a new vegetable and fruit each week to menu

Step 3
This is a very important step that most people do not even consider. As we all know, life happens and there will be times when events will occur that are not in your control that may impede in your success. Think of 3 possible barriers that may happen that could stop you from reaching your goal, and write out THREE different solutions to EACH that you can do to make sure it doesn`t stop you in your tracks!
Example:
Barrier 1 – busy work and hectic social life might cause me to NOT do my workouts
Solution 1 – pre set all appts with trainer and firmly make them call the day before to confirm.
Solution 2 – do not plan late outings with friends or family the day before trainer appts (make sure friends and family are aware of this too)
Solution 3 – on days where work is unavoidable, use every chance to take the stairs, go for walks outdoors after lunch, stop 2 stops beforehand and walk, park further and walk, do not stay idle for longer than 3 hours at a time!

Step 4
Finally, you now have to write down how you will know if you have reached your goal.
Examples for the above 1 MONTH goal:
· clothes that were a little bit snug are starting to feel like they `fit`
· energy is sustained from morning to lunch (no `crashing`)
· metabolism is improving because I feel hungry every few hours and satisfied after healthier snack (like the new veggie or fruit I have introduced into my diet!)

You will see a BIG difference in your success level when you carefully map out your strategies this way. But like anything, don`t expect any pay off if you don`t do the work, you are now equipped with some make it or break it ammo – USE IT!

Until next time team, keep your eyes on the GOAL!

Beki