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It's time for lunch and you have to read a long technical document rather than your regular good physical fitness workout. You think it doesn't matter, because you can always exercise tomorrow. But the next day comes and you have too much work to do. More and more days go by and you haven't worked out; something else seems to always come up. You really enjoy your time for exercise and how you feel afterwards, but you just do not understand why you are not as motivated as you once were.
Any number of factors can contribute to changing good physical fitness habits. One possibility is that you did not establish a clear direction or goals for your program. Realistic goals provide focus to an exercise program. They help chart your progress to your destination.
The way to set goals is identical for good physical fitness as it is for personal and professional development. Attainable goals help you understand what is possible out of many available options. Establishing goals brings into focus how your current good physical fitness status relates to your ideal.
Develop both long- and short-range goals. Long-range goals are more general, but not all encompassing. They should be manageable through a logical progression of activity. They do not need to have a time limit on achievement.
Short-range goals identify the logical steps to achieving your long-term targets. They should be very specific and realistic based on your present capabilities and should have a time limit for achievement. Short-term goals can be used to measure your progress. Remember to include all the components of good physical fitness when setting your goals—cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility.
Now you need a way to keep yourself focused on what you want to accomplish. One means is to make a contract with yourself. A contract is an agreement that includes a well defined conclusion and reward. First, make a list of your short-term and long-term goals. Then decide how to reward yourself for reaching each of your targets. Make the rewards special things that are important to you, i.e., going to a new movie, checking out a new video, or buying something special. The more excited you are about the reward, the easier it will be to accomplish the target.
Your goals help motivate you to continue your progress. This is a very personal process. Everyone's goals will be slightly different. Your targets and rewards need to be right for you.
Remember that goal setting, like good physical fitness is an ongoing process. Each time a target is achieved, set a new one. If you do not reach your target within your set time frame, do not be discouraged. Reassess your status and set a new goal, either short- or long-range. Goal setting will help you maintain a consistent good physical fitness program for the rest of your life.