What Are Some Short-Term Fitness Goals?
Long-term fitness goals, such as losing 50 pounds or working out more often, can best be reached through setting short-term goals. The American Council on Education recommends setting goals using the SMART method, which requires that goals be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. Short-term goals that meet these qualities are designed to gradually help an individual work up to his ultimate goal.
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Weight Loss
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Perhaps the most common fitness goal is to lose weight. Weight loss is most easily attainable through setting short-term goals that lead to a long-term goal. If your ultimate goal is to lose 50 lb., begin by setting a goal of losing 1 lb. per week. Weight-loss goals usually require other goals to complete them, such as eating healthier or working out more in order to lose one pound per week.
Eating Right
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Another common fitness goal is to eat properly to improve health. Some long-term healthful eating goals might include reducing fat and sugar intake, eating a balanced diet and increasing fruit and vegetable intake. Some short-term goals intended to meet these major goals might include limiting soda to one can per week, eating one piece of fruit each day and adding a vegetable side dish to dinner five times a week.
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Workout Frequency
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Exercise is key to living a healthy life, but going straight from zero exercise to working out five times a week is not recommended. Start with short-term goals to work up to your ultimate goal. For example, resolve to work out twice this week for 30 minutes by taking a brisk walk or going to the gym. Next week, work out three times. The week after that, work out for 45 minutes each time. Continue gradually increasing frequency until you reach your goal.
Specific Workout Goals
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The type of workout you complete can vary greatly, depending on what your ultimate fitness goals are. If you're interested in building up arm strength, set short-term goals like performing 15 pushups a day and gradually increase the number of pushups. If your goal is to run a mile in a certain time limit, begin by timing yourself running a mile comfortably and push yourself to run faster with each consecutive workout until you reach your goal. Other common short-term workout goals can include increasing the number of repetitions using conditioning equipment, performing yoga workouts each day to increase flexibility and purposely varying workout types each day to accomplish all-around fitness.
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References
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