Set a SMART Goal for Yourself this 2008

2008 - It’s the new year. For many, including myself, it is a time of renewed commitments and new year resolutions. How has 2007 been for you? Did you succeed in meeting your goals? Do you even remember what your resolution was? Many times, we fail in achieving our goals because our goals are not well thought out. A goal without a plan… is just a wish.

It is important that we set good goals for ourselves - goals that are SMART!

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Achievable
R = Relevant
T = Time-bound

Be Specific:
Be specific in setting your goal. For example, I will exercise 4 times a week including 20 minutes of aerobic training and 40 minutes of resistance training. Simply saying you ‘want to get fit’ or ‘want to lose weight’ is too vague.

Make it Measurable:
Choose a goal with measurable progress - you need to see the change occur. For example, to lose 1 inch of your waist, lose 1kg in 2 weeks, % bodyfat lost, distance to be run, etc.

Can you Achieve it?
Make sure your goal is something you can achieve. You will only frustrate yourself if it’s something you can’t achieve and you don’t make it. For example, if you’re currently living a sedentary lifestyle and have pretty much never exercised in your life before, please don’t set a goal to run a marathon the next month.

Is it Relevant?
Is your goal relevant to you? If you’re one of those who are not overweight but keep insisting that you are (that’s like 99% of you women!) - a goal like ‘losing 5kgs in 5 weeks is just not relevant. Set a goal based on your interests, needs and abilities. For example, if you’re a runner, you’d want to focus on muscle endurance, and not the size of your muscles.

It should be Time-bound:
Set a time limit, or give a date to WHEN you’re going to achieve this goal. ‘Someday’ won’t work. Giving yourself a realistic and yet challenging time frame will create a sense of urgency. At the same time… don’t give yourself the entire year to lose that 1kg!

Examples of a poor goal:

“I want to get in shape”, “I plan to lose 20lbs in ONE week”.

A SMART goal:

I want to get in shape by joining a gym and commit to going at least 3 times a week for the next 3 months in order to bring my weight down by 5kg.

Also, remember that these are YOUR personal goals, and not anyone else’s goals (not your wife’s, your personal trainer, or your mother’s goals) - it must be YOUR goals.

Remember not to get over ambitious with your goals too. You can’t train for a marathon in 2 weeks. You get what I mean? Set smaller, more manageable goals, and when you reach that goal - set a new one! If you fail to achieve a goal - don’t worry, you’re human, just like me. You just need to try again.

I also can’t stress this enough - but always remember that Fitness is a lifestyle. It is not a quick-fix to your health problems and a solution to getting into that tight pair of jeans (though that’s just one of it’s many cool benefits).

Stick to your programs and goals, and soon enough, you WILL experience first-hand the amazing things your body is capable of … then you will truly learn to love and embrace this lifestyle. This is a journey… and like any other journey, you WILL face obstacles - but never let them come in the way of you reaching your goals.

Eat clean, live well, exercise, and sleep well for a leaner, fitter and happier you every month, every year - this 2008. We can do this.

Happy New Year everyone.

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