You don’t have to be obsessed with goals. And you shouldn’t need a goal to justify coming to your training sessions.
But if you do set one, it’s likely better to set a goal around one behavior than one big goal that needs changes in many areas at once.
“Lose 50 pounds” is where most people go. Marketing and advertising love that goal. It paints a picture of what you want to look like. What it leaves out is how hard it is.
The whole point of most ads is to make hard things seem simple. You’ve probably seen a few:
- Just drink this one shake.
- 8 Minute Abs.
- Squeeze a ThighMaster while you watch TV.
- Buy this one tool, and suddenly you’re handy.
A better goal is challenging but reasonable.
An example
If you’ve been coming twice a week, set a goal to come three times a week for the next six weeks.
Weeks 1 and 2
You might be more sore than usual. That’s normal.
Week 3
In all likelihood, your body adapts.
Week 6
It doesn’t feel as hard as it did in week one. It may become your new normal.
That one extra session a week will make you feel better. And it isn’t tied to an arbitrary “lose 50 pounds in three months.”
Pick one behavior. Make it a little harder than what you do now. Give it six weeks.