Goals

We’re always making goals. Goals to run faster. Goals to run farther. Goals to eat less junk. Goals to drink more water. Not to mention the non-health related goals, like being a better friend or spending more time with family.

Goals are good to have in order to keep us motivated; they give us something to work towards. But what are we to do when it seems like we are always working towards the same goal, and often getting further away instead of closer? Should we give up on the goal? Make a new one? Keep struggling along even when it starts to feel pointless?

If your goal is important to you and you really want to achieve it, don’t give up on it! If it means enough, you will find a way to make it happen, you just might need some help along the way. Here are some ideas that might help.

1) Write down your long term goal, as well as short term goals that will help you on the way. Include your “why.” Why are these goals important to you? Having a reminder of your “why” can help you stay focused. Check in with your goals every few weeks to reflect on how they are going and any improvements or changes you can make to your progress.

2) Make a list of smaller goals you can achieve that will lead you to your bigger goal. Break it down as much as you need to in order to help yourself be more successful. It can mean running an extra 0.1 mile each time you run until you reach your distance goal, or drinking an extra ounce of water each day until you hit 64. It could mean starting with one serving of vegetables a day until it’s easy, and then adding a second serving.

3) Find a friend who can work towards the goal with you. You can help motivate each other and keep each other accountable along the way. There’s strength in numbers! It will be easier to reach your goal if you aren’t alone.

4) Hire a coach to help you! If you are trying to improve your fitness or nutrition, a coach is a very valuable resource to have. They can help guide you to achieve your goal in the healthiest way possible, as well as being someone to hold you accountable.

5) Don’t turn to quick-fix promises, especially when it comes to weight-loss goals. Programs/supplements that offer to help you “melt pounds overnight” or tell you that you can lose weight quickly by giving up a food group are not sustainable long term, and are also nutritionally suspect. Slow progress over time is much safer and more sustainable.

Need some help setting and maintaining your health/fitness goals?

I’m a certified personal trainer with specializations in fitness nutrition and women’s fitness, and I’d love to chat with you and see how I can help. Consultation is free.

Email me coach@run4thehills.com and I’ll reply back to schedule a meeting!