Mood: Short-Term Vs. Long-Term Goals

Everyone starts their fitness journey for some reason or another. Yet finding moments of success throughout your fitness journey can be a challenge. Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, repair injuries, or perform for an event, setting both long-term and short-term goals can help you find success in each step of your journey. Setting goals, in and of itself, can be quite challenging. Here are some tips to set goals for your best success.

Long-Term Goals:

• These are your big milestones. Imagine your healthiest self. What do you want to achieve? Do you want to run a 5k? Keep up with your energetic children or grandchildren? Slow or reverse the effects of a disease or health condition? Whatever it may be, pick just one long-term goal to set.
• Be as specific as possible. The more details you can provide, the more achievable and realistic your long-term goal will be.
• Write your goal somewhere you can see it every day to remind yourself of why you are journeying through a path of fitness. Take a moment to either repeat it to yourself or visualize yourself reaching this goal. Make it a reality in your brain and express gratitude that you will reach this goal.
• Set smaller, specific, appropriately timed goals as steps along the way to your long-term goal. Oftentimes, we make one large goal and become frustrated when we do not achieve it right away. Remember that each step of your journey is just as important as the last. Ask your trainer or a fitness/health professional to help you set smaller “benchmark” goals that you can celebrate along the way.
• Give yourself grace. It is easy to feel guilty or frustrated if your long-term goal isn’t met right away or met in a different way than you expected. Remember that no journey is perfect. And your journey is unique to you and your body. Be kind to yourself as you take a step forward each day.

Short-Term Goals:

• Long-term goals can seem arduous and far off. Sit down to create a map towards your long-term goal. Each short-term goal should be a specific “benchmark” item that you could check off each time you achieve it.
• Know yourself and how often you need to track your progress to keep going. Aim to set short-term goals on a weekly basis, or even daily if possible. Even if your daily goals are mental, take a moment to recognize a choice or change you made that was closer to your long-term goal.
• Ask for accountability. Ask a friend, healthcare provider, or fitness professional to check in on you and help track your progress. You are not alone, and those that want to see you reach your goals will show up and help you.

Whatever your goal may be, remember that no journey is perfect. It’s important to give yourself grace as you keep stepping forward. Consistency is KEY. When you reach your goals, pause to celebrate, and then set new ones!

Remember: your health and fitness journey continues every day.