Reach Your Fitness Goals

Trying to reach your fitness goals might seem like mission impossible at times. Trust me, I can relate. But as the temperatures increase and we have a bit more light after work, I suddenly feel inspired. Therefore, I wanted to share my inspiration with you, and hopefully inspire myself more. Whether you are looking to build muscle, lose weight, run or just improve your health, you need to set some goals. So, come with us as we list our top fitness goals that should be setting.

The Importance Of Setting Fitness Goals

Fitness goals are all about setting manageable but challenging tasks that will improve your level of fitness. It's simply figuring out what you want to improve and then taking the relevant steps to achieve them. Typically the reason you have started your fitness journey will be your key fitness goal. Then you need to break it up into steps of how to get there.

By setting fitness goals you will find you become more motivated to stick to your workout plan. It makes it seem more manageable. For example, the idea of running a marathon sounds daunting to all new comers. But, if you set yourself weekly and realistic distances to hit, before you know it you'll be signing up to the London marathon. These goals are what push you past your boundaries and that initial discomfort. Plus when you achieve these smaller goals then you can get a real sense of accomplishment.

What Are Some Good Fitness Goals

There is no one size fits all, ever really, but especially in regards to this. You can look at google for 'fitness goals', but don't be worried when you are bombarded with different results. The key is just to pick the ones that match your main goal. To make your life easier I have handpicked some of my favourite fitness goals to help you get off on the right foot.

Drink more water

Up to 60% of your body is comprised of water. Therefore making sure you drink plenty of water is imperative. You need to aim for having a minimal of 2 litres of water and then increase this when you are training or on warmer days. This one of those changes that sound simple, but also makes a huge difference to your diet when you introduce this.

Stretch It Out

Whether it's before or after working out, stretching is one of the important steps in continuing your fitness journey. If you fail to stretch you will slow down your process. It's one of those things that staying consistent with will only help, and prevent injury! (Massive added bonus).

Balance Your Training

Even if you are training to run a marathon make sure you are still doing strength training, and visa versa. It might not seem like they work hand in hand but they do. There have been many debates about whether you should do cardio or strength training to lose weight. But the reality is so long as you are doing something and striving to get better you will met you fitness goals.

80:20

There is an 80:20 ratio when it comes to losing weight. If that is your goal then you need to making sure that your diet matches your fitness goal. Whilst this ratio it's 80 diet, 20 exercise, there is also the 80:20 rule when it comes to what foods to eat. If you break up your diet into 80% whole foods and then allow yourself to consume the other 20% as processed, it makes balance a lot easier. Dieting shouldn't mean cutting out the small part you enjoy, I'm a massive foodie, I love eating healthy but sometimes I wake up and I want chocolate for breakfast. It's about figuring out what works for you. If I have chocolate for breakfast to kick my craving then I need to make sure I'm eating something proper for lunch and dinner.

Walk

They say that you should aim to do 10,000 steps a day. However, once we take into account that most people have desk jobs, and our commute is too far to walk without waking up 2hrs earlier, hitting that target can feel pretty daunting. What you can do though is where possible opt to walk. Nipping to the shops? Walk there take a backpack for your shopping. Choosing the lift or the stairs? Stairs every time (maybe not if it's floor 60). But, you get the gist. It's about making healthier choices that work towards your goal. If you get you pace up you should be able to get your 10,000 steps done within an hour and that's only 8% of your day.

Now Rest

This is one I can 110% get behind. Make sure you are getting your 7hrs minimum sleep. Whilst it seems like a stretch to have this as a fitness goal, it's actually critical for achieving your fitness journey. It lets your muscle rebuild properly, boosts your energy and speeds up any recovery. Not to mention it's a great excuse for those weekend lie ins.

Setting Your Own Fitness Goals

Now that I have covered the basics it's time to have a look at the structure you should consider when setting your own goals. Make sure that they are SMART goals.

This will prevent you even further from failure. By using this process you won't find yourself saying things like I'm going to train lose 2 stone in one month, because it's not achievable, and to what realistic is there to that goal? When you are considering how realistic it is, is a great time to make sure your motivators are about creating a personal best or bettering yourself. Make sure when you are on your fitness journey that you are making these goals around fitness and health and not solely on the way you look to others. You should be doing this only for yourself, as you are number one.

Hold Yourself Accountable

Whether you write them down, type them into yours notes on your phone, have them hung up on the fridge or even put them across your socials. Have them down in a physical form so that you can hold yourself accountable. You have something visual that makes you remember what you are working towards.

Now you have the basics it's time to take action. Good luck!