ESTABLISHING S.M.A.R.T. GOALS
S.M.A.R.T is a five-letter acronym that is commonly used in health/fitness settings to promote logical goal-setting strategies that may guide you in achieving the results that you desire from that goal. It uses a specific set of criteria that ensures your objectives are attainable within a reasonable time-frame.
S.M.A.R.T. goals entail working through each of these five components to build a measurable goal that encompasses exactly what needs to be accomplished and when, and how you will know when you have succeeded in those action tasks. It eliminates the guesswork, sets a time-frame, and makes it easier to track your progress and observe any missed milestones.
Sustainable/Specific:
A specific goal answers questions like:
What objective needs to be accomplished?
Who is responsible for it?
What steps will you take to achieve it?
Measurable
Numbers and values are used to describe the goal you have in mind.
Attainable/Achievable
While you may have a larger, long-term goal in consideration, it is better to try to break things down into smaller, short-term steps that will better guide you in reaching the long-term goal.
Realistic/Relevant
Make sure that your goal is aligned with the mission you are planning to set out on, and not just something for you to simply do. This step helps you define the key benefit that your goal will help you achieve.
Timely/Time-Bound
Establishing a timeline that can help you evaluate the success of your endeavors and establish new goals as you reach those deadlines.
Listed below is a sample health and fitness S.M.A.R.T goal you can try out for yourself!
Goal: “I’m going to get in shape.”
Specific: “I am going to get at least 30 minutes of exercise three days a week and cut my caloric intake by 25%.”
Measurable: “My goal is to lose 15 pounds within the next three months.”
Achievable: “I already have a rowing machine and can afford to buy fresh, nutritious food for myself and my family.”
Relevant: “I want to live a healthier lifestyle so that I feel better physically and mentally in my daily life.”
Time-bound: “I will go to the grocery store tomorrow after work and buy healthy food for the week. I will use my rowing machine for 30 minutes before cooking dinner. I will use the rower three times per week.”
Looking for someone to help you train S.M.A.R.T.er? Get started with one of our awesome trainers today!