Setting “S.M.A.R.T.” Goals to Keep Fitness a Priority Throughout the Year

Have you made a 2022 New Year’s resolution lose weight, tone up, or simply to fit more exercise into your routine? If you’ve declared your intention to make fitness a priority, you may worry that you’ll lose your resolve as the weeks and months pass by, but that doesn’t need to be the case. No matter what you hope to achieve, you can keep jumpstart your healthier lifestyle by setting smart short- and long-term goals to keep your eyes on the prize well into the spring, summer, and fall.

By using the mnemonic “S.M.A.R.T.,” you can define the parameters you need to ensure your goals are more easily achievable. The reason why so many people use SMART for goalsetting is because it makes goals less vague and more attainable, which in turn makes you more motivated as you check off your victories on the road to your final goal. The more you define your goal, the easier it will be to achieve.

“SMART” stands for:

• Specific: For you fitness resolution to be effective, you need a specific goal. If all you say is “I want to lose weight,” you can more easily weasel out of your resolution because you a) aren’t quite sure what needs to be accomplished to do it, and b) you don’t know what steps need to be taken to achieve it. The more you define it, the more likely you are to go after your weight loss goals.
• Measurable: If you can’t quantify your goal, you can’t track your success as easily. By making notes of your fitness wins throughout the months, you’ll be motivated to keep going. For example, if weight loss is the goal, make sure to step on the scale once weekly and write down your weight. You can also measure your waist and hips to check how many inches you lose throughout the year.
• Attainable: If you already have a specific, measurable goal, you’re halfway there. Now to make it attainable. For instance, if you know you want to lose 10% of your weight, don’t expect that it’ll be achievable overnight. Rather, set realistic, healthy expectations for yourself that you’re more likely to stick with than give up out of frustration.
• Relevant: Make sure your goals are personalized to your own wants, not just because your best friends all signed up for a new gym membership in January. Remember that your fitness goals are to improve your own life, not to sway the opinions of others.
• Time-based: A timeframe helps you stay on track towards the final goal. For example, if you want to lose 10% of your weight, you might want to set out to achieve it within 6 months.