You find out that like phones and watches, “fitness goals” have to be smart too, as in “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound”. Here’s what they really mean:
Specific:
Because it helps you to clarify how you can include fitness in your life. “I will go to the gym” is vague. “I will go to the gym three times a week” is still fuzzy. “I will go to the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6am for an hour each session” is more specific.
Measurable:
Because you need an objective gauge of your progress. “Do I look good in this?” depends on who you ask. But your resting pulse and recovery rate after spin class can be objectively measured and improved on.
Attainable:
Don’t expect to run an ultramarathon on Mount Bromo after two weeks on the treadmill, for instance. But that fun 5km night run you’ve always wanted to join? You’ll get there. Then, you can lace up for your journey of a lifetime.
Relevant:
Actually, we’re not too stoked about this one because, how is fitness ever *not* relevant to your life? Even if you just want to reach the cookie jar on the top shelf, or squat to look under the sink – and get back up unassisted – you’ll need supple muscles and tendons, and strong ligaments to hold your joints within their correct range of movement.Do you know you can try Freestyle MOVE class with ourfree trial guest pass?
Time-bound:
Because life is short. And having a time frame is the only way to know if you’re making progress towards what you want.
So far, so smart. But we’re not done. You’re also supposed to write down why you can’t commit to any of your goals, so you can’t make excuses for not meeting them later.
And now that you’ve predicted they will happen, write down how you’re going to crush all those future excuses. No time? Skip happy hours this weekend with the gang. No money? Don’t buy drinks during happy hours.
We don’t blame you for quitting before you start. Because life isn’t a series of KPIs, quarterly targets and performance improvement plans. What happens if you don’t meet your goals? Do you sack yourself?
Putting fitness first in your life is a long-term project. In fact, your life is *the* longest-term project you’ll ever have.
So let's back up a bit. Why are you doing this? Here are the two most-important things to keep in mind before you set those fitness goals and begin to plan all the above in earnest.
