Receive our FREE fitness ebook!
Receive our FREE fitness ebook!
Share
Setting smart goals
Goals are a part of our everyday life. Whether we want to change an aspect of personal or business life we use them to help us to make a positive change. They help with clarity, motivation, focus and guidance.
A SMART goal is used to help guide goal setting. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. Therefore, a SMART can increase our change of success.
The first step to setting a goal, is asking yourself, what is the goal and why do you want it?
For example, if your goal is to lose weight you want to figure out why.
Some reasons may be:
Once you have your goal, you can begin creating a SMART goal.
Once you have outlined your SMART goal, it should look something like this:
By the 1st of February, I want to fit into size 10 jeans because I want to be fitter and healthier.
Changing your mindset
The next step is to create an affirmation with your goal. You are more likely to achieve your goals by telling yourself you already have! For example, instead of saying something like it is in the future, say it like it has already happened.
That can look something like this:
It is the 1st of February, and I can fit into my size 10 jeans. I am fitter, healthier and happier.
Make these your affirmations and say them every day. Stick them on a post it note and put it somewhere you can see them. It is important that you truly believe in yourself and these goals.
Many of us struggle to reach our goals as we subconsciously ask for what we don’t want and not what we do want. This is quite common, and you probably do not even realize you are doing it. Focusing on what you don’t want will only bring more of it into your life. An example of this, is saying something like “I don’t want to be unfit and ugly”. Instead of saying comments that focus on the negative, focus on the positive, e.g. “I want to be healthy, fit and attractive”.
By changing your thought process and the wording, you are moving towards positivity which is a stronger motivator than negativity.
We often hinder our progress by focusing on the negatives, instead of what the positives will bring us.
Enacting Change
For something to change, something must change. It’s time to get practical. Start putting things into action and use positivity and affirmations to make it happen.
Change is never easy, so we have to get our mindset in the right space to make it easier on ourselves.
Changing your health or appearance should never be a quick fix solution, but an entire lifestyle change. This sounds daunting, I know, but it doesn’t need to be.
I have created an example of a permanent lifestyle change using a moving toward positivity strategy.
Chris looks in the mirror and says “I want to be a fit, attractive, healthy person for the rest of my life.”
Chris decides to eat better and exercise regularly.
She is motivated by her self-talk and keeps saying ‘I am a healthier fitter person’ and other positive affirmations.
Chris loses some weight and is feeling good.
She now says wow I am becoming a slim fit healthy person.
The weight continues to drop off.
Chris is still eating healthier and includes exercise into her routine.
She asks herself ‘what does a fit and healthy person do?’ She has changed her mind set and continues to choose healthy food and exercise.
Chris will continue to motivate herself and continue choosing her healthy behavior.
After a while, Chris’ weight stabilizes, and she continues to enjoy the pleasure she was wanting.
Resisting Change
Now let’s look at the moving away from positivity, and into the negativity model. This will show you the power of your mindset.
Pat looks in the mirror and says “I am fat, I look horrible. I must lose weight.”
She starts to eat healthier and exercise regularly. She is motivated by her self-talk which is constantly telling her the negatives about herself.
She does lose some weight.
When she looks in the mirror, she now says “Hey I have lost weight. I am not so fat anymore. I look ok.”
She begins to revert to old eating patterns and no exercise.
She starts to put the weight back on
And we go back to step 1.
Remain Positive
When you feel inspired, you feel energized of your success. You can take back control of your life and have what you desire and make your dreams come true when you harness the power of your mind.
Sustainable weight loss, or anything really, lies in your attitude and mindset when you understand how it works.
I am incredibly passionate about all things goal setting, health and positivity. I have been working hard, and am now not only a qualified personal trainer, but also a qualified Life Coach. If you have been struggling to make and stick to your goals, I want to help you.
I would like to acknowledge my friend Victoria Morrison for her content for this post.
If you would like to know more about how I can help, please email me at cathy@femmefitale.com.au
