2018…a new year to start fresh, set your new goals and figure out an action plan! 

Most gyms are packed on January 2nd by people who have set themselves fitness goals and have a new found motivation that the New Year has brought. 

Unfortunately, it is short lived and gyms start to quieten down by the end of January!

Why? 

Because most goals set are unrealistic and unachievable in the given time frame which results in you giving up on your goals as easily as you set them….without thought! 

Ask yourself a question, are you setting the same goal that you set last year? Why have you not achieved it? What are you going to do differently this time? 

One of the single, most common new year’s resolution that fails is ‘I’m going to lose weight’. 

“Losing weight” isn’t very specific, it could be 10 pounds or 60 pounds! 

It’s also a long term goal that actually encompasses a lot of little goals. 

IDENTIFY those little goals because those are the real goals that keep you going and keep you motivated throughout your journey. 

My long term goal was to lose weight but my short term goals were about my eating and exercise habits . 

Some of my short term goals included working out at least 4 times a week and making sure my portion sizes were correct according to the Eatwell plate.

Any goals that we set should be SMART goals. 

Specific: Instead of setting yourself a goal of exercising more, be more specific. How many times a week will you exercise?Remember that exercising doesn’t just happen in the gym. You can get a brilliant workout at home or outside too!

Measurable:  How will you track your progress and how you will know when you have reached your goal? Making your goal measurable means adding a number.
For example, my measurable goal was to lose 2lbs a week and I used to measure it by weighing myself ONCE a week. 

Attainable: If you are new to exercise then setting yourself a goal of exercising 5 times a week may be a little difficult. Start with something attainable (3 times a week), and adjust your goal when you’re ready to. 
It’s good to shoot for the stars, but don’t be too extreme. Likewise, a goal that is too easy is also not very motivating. Only you know your limits. 

Realistic: Don’t let yourself fall into this trap by setting unattainable health goals such as, “I want to lose 10 pounds in 10 days.” Instead, aim to lose half a pound to two pounds per week. Attempting to lose weight faster than this is unhealthy and will only set you up for disappointment.

Timed:  So you’ve now set a goal of exercising three times a week. How long are your sessions going to be? 30 minutes, 60 minutes? Giving your exercise days a set time period will make your goals clearer and more manageable.

Let 2018 be the year that you smash goals: be healthy, get fit and stay focused. Happy New year!

Follow me on Instagram @rosiegetsfit_