Regular exercise has benefits for your health and can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. We all have our own reasons to exercise, whether to lose weight or to build muscle and strength. But you need to exercise for the right amount of time and with the appropriate intensity. Setting exercise goals can help you achieve the results you hope to see.
Step 1
Define your ultimate goals. Do you want to lose a certain number of pounds, and if so, how many? Determine whether you need to meet your goal by a certain date, such as before a reunion or vacation, the Exercise Goals website suggests, or if you hope to make a gradual but permanent change.
Step 2
Plan rewards for yourself when you reach a series of smaller goals. Instead of rewarding yourself with food, consider a healthier incentive such as a new haircut or pair of running shoes. Plan the goals to happen at attainable intervals, such as every two to three weeks, to keep you motivated.
Step 3
Enlist a friend or loved one to exercise with you. It is often easier to stay motivated to exercise when you know that you aren't doing it alone, the Fitness Health Zone website advises. Try making a friendly competition, which might give you further motivation to reach your goals.
Step 4
Make a concrete plan of what you intend to do. If your goal is to increase your stamina, for example, plan to increase your cardiovascular exercise by 15 minutes a day, then increase it by another 15 minutes in a week.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep your goals realistic; if you set unattainable goals, you may get discouraged.
- Consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen.
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