Be S.M.A.R.T. & Crush Your Resolutions
Perhaps your experience differs from ours, but we certainly noticed that the majority of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. And we can understand why. The fitness resolutions people set are often vague and lofty. So to help our clients achieve their resolutions, we often use the system of S.M.A.R.T. goal setting to organize and structure their goals in a way that will increase the chance of success. Read on to find out how this system can help you with your New Year’s resolution.
Specific
Make your fitness goals specific. Instead of vague ideas like eating healthier or losing weight, set more specific goals such as consuming 4 servings of vegetables a day, run for 1 hour each day, or only buy lean cuts when buying red meat. Leave no room for interpretation on whether or not the goal was achieved.
Measurable
The next component is how we go about measuring progress. Returning to the example above, losing weight is a fuzzy goal. Making your resolution measurable by specifying losing 1 lb per week, or running 1 additional mile each month will give you a way to measure your progress.
Attainable
The third element of setting a S.M.A.R.T. goal should be how attainable your goal is based on what you’re doing. For example, if you are hitting the weights 3 times a week, then a New Year’s resolution of gaining 5 lbs of muscles in three months is attainable. However, if someone has the same resolution but quits the gym by February, then their goal is not as attainable.
Relevant
Think about if what you’re doing is relevant to what you are trying to achieve. In the fitness world, there are numerous exercise programs and diet plans. So instead of just following trends, make sure your actions are relevant to your goals. For instance, if your goal is to lose weight, then actions that influence your Caloric intake will be the most relevant, while trying to improve your box jump will be a lot less relevant.
Time-Bound
Finally, the last component of the S.M.A.R.T. goal is to be specific about the time frame. Whether your resolutions are for the short-term or long-term, having reasonable schedules and deadlines will help keep you accountable. And speaking of deadlines, we are celebrating the new you this New Year with 25% OFF, but hurry because this deal will end this Wednesday night!
Written by: Vinh Pham
Vinh holds a degree in Nutritional Science. Having learned the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, Vinh’s goal is to educate others on proper health and nutrition. When he’s not working for MOS, Vinh likes trying new foods, hitting the gym, and eating his vegetables like a good boy.