Living a healthy lifestyle can be both rewarding and challenging. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, build muscle or simply stay in shape, the journey can certainly seem daunting. It requires dedication, discipline, hard work and consistency; qualities that may not come easily for a lot of us. But don’t feel intimidated by your fitness goals. Setting small fitness goals can lead to significant results!

Read on for some tips on how to get started setting achievable targets that will set you up for success!

The Benefits of Setting SMART Goals

Setting smaller increments towards your fitness objectives is beneficial because it helps keep you on track in several ways:

• Breaking down a large goal into smaller, more manageable tasks makes the goal seem less daunting and overwhelming. This can help to reduce anxiety and increase motivation, making it easier to stay committed to your fitness routine over time.
• Setting smaller fitness goals allows for more frequent opportunities to celebrate progress and achievements. This positive reinforcement can help build momentum and confidence, which can be crucial for maintaining long-term success.
• Setting smaller fitness goals enables you to adjust your approach or strategy as needed along the way. If you notice that a particular exercise or nutrition plan isn't working as well as you had hoped, you can make changes without feeling like you've failed completely. This flexibility can help prevent burnout and keep you engaged in the process of achieving your objectives.

Overall, by breaking down your larger fitness goals into smaller increments, you are able to create a more sustainable and achievable plan for success. It helps to create a more manageable plan, provides more opportunities for celebrating progress and adjusting strategies if necessary - all leading toward greater success in reaching your ultimate fitness goals.

The SMART Goal Method

S.M.A.R.T. goals are a great way to set achievable and effective fitness goals. Here's how it works:

• Specific: Goals should be clear and specific. Instead of "I want to get in shape", try "I want to lose 10 pounds" or "I want to run a 5K."
• Measurable: Goals should be measurable so you can track your progress. For example, instead of "I want to get stronger", try "I want to increase my bench press by 10 pounds."
• Achievable: Goals should be challenging but still achievable. It's important to set realistic goals that you can actually reach.
• Relevant: Goals should be relevant to your overall fitness objectives. Make sure your goals align with what you want to achieve in the long term.
• Time-bound: Goals should have a deadline or timeline attached to them. This will help keep you accountable and motivated as you work towards achieving them.

Download the SMART Goals printable

Practical Example of SMART Goals

Putting SMART Goals into Action

Define what success looks like to you and be realistic; don't set overly ambitious fitness goals that you may not be able to achieve.

Setting fitness goals can help you stay motivated and fulfilled in your fitness journey. Regardless of what fitness level you are at, success is achievable through discipline, hard work, and patience.

Ask yourself why you want to commit to this fitness journey. Is it to feel more energized? To lose weight? Build strength? It's important to identify what motivates you, as it will determine the actions necessary to make your health and fitness goals a reality. This might involve thinking about your current level of fitness, your schedule, and your overall health goals. 

Keep in mind that success doesn't look the same for everyone. What works for someone else may not work for you. To be successful, stay true to yourself and define your fitness goals by setting realistic expectations. 

Don’t be overly ambitious; aiming too high may lead to frustration and burnout. Instead, focus on developing small steps towards an achievable fitness goal that works for you. 

Take small steps toward your fitness goals, building upon each success.

Taking small steps toward your fitness goals can be the most beneficial way to reach those them. You'll find greater success in achieving fitness milestones if you take it slow and methodically build upon each step. By doing this, you not only give yourself the opportunity to holistically work on your fitness, but also instill in yourself a sense of accomplishment with every victory. 

Celebrate the wins! Congratulate yourself on reaching short-term fitness goals. It's OK to feel proud of progress, no matter how small you think it is.

Celebrate your fitness wins no matter how small - these short-term goals can create long-term momentum! Achieving fitness milestones is much more than the endurance you build and it's important to recognize the effort you put into it. Each step forward is significant, so take a few moments to appreciate and congratulate yourself whenever you reach a fitness goal. The feeling of accomplishment achieved through small wins is a powerful motivator! And with each small victory leading to the next, big successes will naturally fall into place as you strive forward.

Visualize the bigger picture and set fitness goals that push yourself further.

Visualizing the bigger picture can be a great tool for setting longer-term fitness goals and pushing yourself further. Don't lose sight of the progress you have made, and don't give into comfort zones; look beyond the immediate moment and see what accomplishments are possible. Think of how far you have come and how far you could go. 

Amp up accountability. Get a fitness coach or friends and family involved for extra support and motivation.

One of the best ways to stay accountable is with a fitness coach who can serve as your mentor, providing insight and practical advice so that you can stay on track. And don’t forget about friends and family! Lean on them for extra motivation and encouragement when it gets tough! Their support will not only help push you through challenging times but also provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships.

Here are 8 SMART Fitness Goals you can put into action right now!

Ready to take your fitness journey to the next level? My goal is to help empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary for achieving the physical results you desire. As an experienced fitness trainer, I understand these goals are not easy to reach alone, so if you’re looking for an accountability partner and fitness mentor, I am here for you every step of the way!

Set up your free consultation!