Step 1: Setting Goals – What do you want?

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Before you embark on any change, take some time to think about what you really want. I often hear clients say: “I want to lose weight, I want to feel better, I want to look better.” That’s great, but these goals are very vague and unspecific. They leave too much wiggle room for you to get motivated. If you were to take a road trip across the country, would you plan it out before leaving or would you just start driving? Most likely you’d get out the map and plan your trip. The same applies to making physical changes, so here’s how to get started:

Get specific: If your goal is weight loss, then get as specific as possible.
  • How much do you want to lose?
  • By what date?
  • How do you want each body part to look?
You get the picture. The more specific you are, the better you can envision the end product and the more you can get motivated. That’s why people who set very general goals typically don’t achieve them.

Define the reasons for your goals: Why do you want to look a certain way? For a wedding, vacation, to attract a partner, to be healthy. Look beyond the obvious. The more emotionally connected you are to your goals, the more motivating they become.

Use the good and the bad: Some people are motivated by negatives, others by positives. For example, the person who hates the feeling of having to squeeze into the movie theater seat is motivated to change by that negative sensation. Another person may be dying to fit back into those skinny jeans from college days. She’s motivated by that awesome feeling she has when her pants are fitting just perfectly around her hips. Whatever your driver is, use it to get you going.

Who do you want to look like?
Having a role model can be powerful. Find out what they do to look a certain way. Cut out their picture and look at it often and know that you too can look like that.

Visualize: Visualize your goal every day. Imagine what you will look like when you have the body you want. Make that picture bright, colorful, clear and moving. Why is this so important? What you create in your mind comes true for your body. Just think of how excited you got for a recent date. The pure imagination of what to expect probably made your heart beat faster, made you feel hot, gave you sweaty palms, rosy cheeks – and that was just the anticipation! Utilize the body-mind connection to create in your body what you envision.

You better believe it!
If you want to be fit but deep down you don’t believe you can ever achieve it then naturally you won’t ever get there. If there is any doubt about your ability to get fit and lean then naturally you will find ways to sabotage your efforts. So, start believing in yourself and know that whatever challenge comes your way can be dealt with.

Reward yourself:
I don’t mean chocolate cake, but once you have achieved a part of your goal them reward yourself. That could be a trip to the mall or a massage. Whatever makes you happy – celebrate your achievements and look forward to the next one.

Now it’s time you share your goals for the coming month. What would you like to have accomplished on January 30th?
Post your answers as comments.
2 replies
  1. Ariane Hundt says:

    >Here are my health and fitness goals for 2009: Complete Washington DC Triathlon in September 2009 and Montauk in JuneThis January I’ll limit my coffee intake to 2 cups per day.I’ll enjoy only two cheat meals every week. I’ll stop eating 2 hours before going to bed.

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