Attainable Goals: Setting Yourself Up to Make 2024 Your Year

Now that the new year has arrived, let’s make it a fresh start! This is the perfect opportunity for you to focus on making 2024 YOUR year—the year that you take control of your fitness journey and have fun doing it. A great way to begin is to be realistic in your planning. Remember that not all of your goals may be met when you originally wanted them to. It’s important not to look at those exceptions as setbacks or failures. Instead, look at them as a new start—giving you the room to get closer to reaching those once-distant goals.

Looking at what we have and haven’t achieved is one of the first steps in setting attainable fitness goals. Attainable fitness goals are vital on your fitness journey because they will allow you to make consistent progress, as well as help prevent you from becoming unmotivated. We’ll be walking you through some tips to help you set attainable fitness goals for 2024 so you can make this your year.

1. Start Small

Starting small is a fundamental step when setting attainable fitness goals. This approach is particularly beneficial for beginners or those returning to exercise after a significant break. Rather than plunging headfirst into demanding workout regimens, try to initiate with moderate activities, gradually increasing in complexity and intensity. This could mean beginning with a 15-minute walk each day and slowly progressing to longer durations or more fast-paced exercises like jogging. Starting small not only prevents overwhelming yourself, but it also reduces the risk of injuries and burnout. It fosters a sense of achievement early on, instilling confidence and motivation on your fitness journey.

2. Be Specific

Being specific when setting fitness goals means having a clear, well-defined objective. A vague aspiration such as "I want to get fit" often falls short because it lacks a definitive marker of success. Instead, your goals should be explicit. For example, if you want to be better at pull-ups and push-ups, you might search "back exercise tips". Granted, looking up back exercise tips won’t make you a fitness expert, but this kind of specificity provides a tangible target to aim for and allows for structured planning and preparation. It takes the guesswork out of the equation, giving you a clear path forward. Progress is more easily measured when goals are specific, providing a motivational boost when milestones are reached.

3. Make It Measurable

Setting measurable and trackable fitness goals is a key strategy in ensuring consistent progress while maintaining positivity and motivation. Work on turning those back exercise tips into back exercise goals. You can create a roadmap of incremental steps that lead to the ultimate achievement. For instance, if the goal is to do 100 push-ups, intermediate goals could include adding on 10 push-ups per week. Similarly, if the aim is to run a 10k, initial targets could involve running shorter distances and gradually increasing this over time. Remember, the journey to fitness is a marathon not a sprint! Regularly reviewing and adjusting your goals ensures they remain relevant and challenging, inspiring continued effort and dedication.

4. Set Time Frames

Establishing time frames or milestones while setting fitness goals is crucial for maintaining momentum and achieving your desired results. These should be specific and realistic, giving you sufficient time to progress at a comfortable pace. Breaking down larger goals into smaller milestones within specific time frames will help make the overall objective feel more manageable and achievable. It also provides regular indications of progress, which are excellent for maintaining motivation. These time frames may need to be adjusted based on your actual progress, and that's okay. Fitness is a personal journey, and it's important to listen to your body and adjust your goals as necessary.

5. Hold Yourself Accountable

Holding yourself accountable is a crucial element in the journey to reach your fitness goals. Accountability brings a sense of responsibility, fostering the discipline and consistency necessary for success in your fitness pursuits. Implementing strategies like keeping a workout journal, investing in a personal trainer, finding a group workout, or even using the Fitness Connection app can significantly bolster accountability. A workout journal provides a record of your progress, making it easier to track improvements and identify areas for improvement. Personal trainers aid with their expertise, bringing professional guidance and a level of expectation that can drive consistent commitment. Similarly, group classes can infuse your fitness journey with a healthy dose of competition and camaraderie, enticing you to stick to your routine even when motivation wanes.

Finding a space where you feel inspired to grow and push yourself further is a part of holding yourself accountable. At Fitness Connection, you will find a community of people who are all on their own personal fitness journeys. And you’ll be surrounded by all the equipment you need, personal trainers, group classes, and more to make 2024 your year.