Inspiration

If you’ve made goals before and never achieved them, don’t give up. Here are some simple ways to help you reach your goals. The first is to write down your goals. Do you want to have more energy, lose weight, or just feel better? Decide how you’re going to do it. Will you change your diet? Get more exercise? Or is doing a combination of the two your road to victory? Having a plan of action is important.

Make a SMART goal.

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. If weight loss is your goal, how much do you want to lose? You can use anything from the number of pounds to the ability to fit into a specific article of clothing. That’s also how you make it measurable. Losing 30 pounds by the next week isn’t achievable in a healthy manner, so make sure your goal is both achievable and realistic. The last letter, T for Timely is the most important. Give yourself a deadline. If you’ve ever pulled an all-nighter, you know how important a deadline can be. Without a deadline, you’ll always be putting off your goal until tomorrow, which never comes.

Break your goal into smaller units that are easier to accomplish.

A huge goal can be overwhelming. If you need to lose 50 pounds, it can look insurmountable and even losing a couple of pounds can feel like failure. If you break down your goal into smaller units and spread it over months, it can bring success quickly and give you a feeling of accomplishment. Losing 2 pounds a week for 25 weeks keeps you motivated and gives you the successful boost you need every week.

Start meal planning.

If you want to stick with any healthy diet, make it easier to do by planning. You plan the meals one day, shop for the ingredients a second day, and do all the cooking the third. Then you just store the food for the week. Every day, just heat and serve. You even plan snacks for the morning and evening. Meal planning saves money and time. It keeps you on track for success.

• Make your workout an appointment and put it on your calendar. Keep it at the same time every day. Doing it at the same time helps create a habit.
• Track your workout. Winners keep score. Have a workout plan ready. Include the number of sets and reps. You can see your progress on paper and make workout time a game.
• Make it a point to be more active. Walk or take a bike instead of driving if possible. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If your work is sedentary, get up and move every 50 minutes. Stand up, walk in place, or do other movements.
• If you want to lose weight, eat slower. It’s good for digestion and helps your brain catch up with your stomach to tell you you’re full quicker. Make sure you get more sleep. Lack of sleep causes an increase in ghrelin, the hunger hormone.

For more information, contact us today at Next Level Fitness