Do you sometimes feel like exercises don’t bring any results and you’re just wasting your time and energy? Do you feel like giving up on sports as it doesn’t make you happy anymore? Or are you just making your first steps in fitness and not sure where to start? Goal setting could definitely be one of the solutions for all these common issues.
Goal setting is essential both when you’re just embarking on a sports journey and when you’re an experienced exerciser stuck along the way. Establishing a plan and sticking to it can help you gain motivation, structure your exercise routine and keep track of your results. Check out the five main reasons to start setting workout goals below.
1. Spurring Motivation
Setting short-term and long-term goals can help you understand your motivation and maintain it throughout your fitness journey. Whether it’s shedding a few kilos and improving your shape or boosting stamina and toning your body, goals will serve you as a source of motivation.
If you already have a specific goal you’d like to reach within a longer period, try to think of smaller goals before every training session. You’ll notice that working towards achievable goals and accomplishing them by the end of each practice will fuel your passion and encourage you to move forward.
2. Tracking Progress
Following the idea of motivation, progress comes to mind. Eventually, you’d like to notice the results of your hard work in the gym or at home. With clear goals, you can measure your progress and feel that the effort you’re making is paying off.
Without determining a purpose, you’re risking losing your motivation as you won’t see any outcome of your workouts. Writing down your goals or simply keeping them in mind can help you focus on the process and reflect on the progress at the end of each practice.
3. Building Confidence
We all know that sweet feeling when we achieve something we had been craving for. Once you achieve your goal, it’s nice to look back and realize all the challenges you’ve overcome along the way. Setting goals and accomplishing them gives your self-esteem a great boost.
However, remember to set attainable goals as being unrealistic about the desired outcome will lead to quick burnout and loss of motivation. Every small step gains you confidence and drives you towards your ultimate goal.
4. Making It Last
All of us face a lack of self-control from time to time. Setting goals can help you fight procrastination and make your workouts last. Consistency is key to success, and you’ll be more likely to stick to healthy habits and exercise regularly if you decide on your long-term goals.
Having a clear vision of desirable results in mind, you can come up with an exercise framework and gradually change your lifestyle. Try to break your long-term goals into smaller parts, and you’ll notice how sports will become an integral part of your day-to-day activities. Trust us, you’ll find it hard to miss a session after that!
5. Working Out More Efficiently
Every efficient workout has a purpose behind it. Be specific and avoid vague goals as they won’t give you an idea of what to focus on during a workout.
Setting personally meaningful goals can help you get the most out of each exercise and push your limits. For example, if you’d like to improve flexibility to get perfect splits, you can plan the right strategy and do the stretches that will move you to your goal faster. Again, remember to be soft with yourself and don’t let a workout be torture.
Understanding and outlining your goals is as important as learning the proper exercise technique. Goals are essential for making lasting changes and maintaining motivation. Think of it before your next workout, and you’ll feel the difference.
