How to Set Smart Fitness Goals for 2024

With the onset of yet another year, comes hopes and resolutions. While you are taking a break from long zoom meetings and all set for the holidays, are you also planning to set smart fitness goals?

But it’s easier said than done!

Did you know 80% of people drop off their health goals within a few weeks of the year?

According to U.S News people start giving up on their fitness new year resolution by February, and by March, a whopping 80% of them let it go. No wonder why do they often fail to achieve such health goals.

So if you’re looking for ways to set some great new year fitness goals, then you’re at the right place.

This article will share the top 7 ways to succeed in your fitness resolution with you. Practicing these ways will help you belong to the elite 20% of the “never-give-up” class who successfully hustle through their lazy habits.

So are you ready to make long term changes to your health and fitness this 2024?

Yes? Then it’s time to shift to a new way of thinking with S.M.A.R.T. fitness goals.

S.M.A.R.T. goal is an acronym of:

S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Achievable
R: Relevant
T: Timely

7 Best Ways To Set S.M.A.R.T. Fitness Goals for 2024

1. Know your “Why”

Did you set your fitness goals this year? How is your progress going? Were you able to achieve your goals?

If you feel confused answering these questions, then the chances are likely that you’re still unclear about your “Why Fitness”.

So before you can embark on a successful fitness journey, you need to find why? Which is being aware of the inner motivation within yourself.

Please take a moment to assess why you want to achieve your health goals so desperately, be it losing or gaining weight. If your reasons are like “I’m overweight” or “I’m too skinny,” it is not good enough.

So you need to dig a little deeper with your context.

For instance, some fitness goals examples can be like “I want to lose weight for my wedding, or “I want to lose weight as I am suffering from health issues”, be it any cause, make sure you can answer it honestly and confidently. This will give you the strength to carry you through as you level up your progress.

It is essential to love and accept yourself before you can make any changes. Accept and embrace the fact that we all are different, perfect in our ways. Once you have found your inner motivation, please write it down as this would be your key to success.

Also Read: Learn How To Lose Weight At Work With These 11 Useful Tips

2. Be Specific About your Fitness Goals

Having fitness goals is a surefire way to self-confidence and a healthy lifestyle. But have you ever thought about setting some specific fitness goals?

No, right?

Well,it is a common habit. Most of us set our goals based on how we want to look rather than what we want to feel.

In this process, we become overconfident and set some unrealistic goals which are way beyond our reach. And failing to achieve such long term goals leaves us feeling demotivated, so much that we don’t even bother to continue further.

So once you know your “Why”; the next step is to set some realistic fitness goal that inspires you to take action every single day.

Try to answer these questions before you start:

• What should I do to start?
• How will I measure my progress?
• How long will it take to get there?

These answers lie in setting S.M.A.R.T. fitness goals.

Here are some smart fitness goals examples to help you understand:

Specific

Rather than focussing on “I am going to lose weight” you should target “I will lose 25 kilos by this year”.

Measurable

Once you have set your goal, you need to calculate how long it would take you to achieve your target.

So let’s do the math!

If your goal is to lose 25 kilos a year, which means you need to lose 2 kilos a month. This means you can achieve this by losing half a kilo a week!

Attainable

Your goal sounds attainable when you quantify it.

Remember focussing on huge goals can seem overwhelming. So once we break them into smaller chunks, our goals appear more manageable and specific.

Also, according to experts, losing 0.5 to 1 kilo per week is recommendable.

Logically, “The heavier you’re, the quicker will be the weight loss in initial phases and vice versa.”

Realistic

Set realistic fitness goals so that you can work towards them. You must be patient enough to invest your time and energy in your fitness journey.

Time-Bound

Every goal should have a time-bound. Otherwise, there would not be any urgency in attaining your fitness goals in the first place.

3. Make an Actionable Workout Planner

So you got your basics right. Now it’s time for you to level up with your wellness plan.

Remember, setting a smart fitness goal is just a small part of this strategy. It makes no sense if you don’t have an actionable plan.

A goal without a plan is just a wish.

This is where you need to be clear about the very nitty-gritty of the entire process.

Ask yourself some questions like:

• What workout do I need to go for?
• Which unhealthy habit should I quit?

You must make sacrifices, get out of your comfort zone and make real changes in your lifestyle.

It is a proof that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them by over 70%. It need not be any fancy list, but make sure you got the right kind of realistic targets that truly aligns with your schedule and lifestyle.

4. Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Are you completely new to the fitness space, or maybe that fast-food lover who now wants to change for the better?

If Yes, then read on.

Break the myth that “You’re going to get fit quickly.”

This isn’t a comfortable journey, and breaking your old habits can be painful in the initial stages.

Here are a few things you can do:

• Start small
• Never give up
• Build the momentum with every level

5. Be with Like-minded People

Fitness isn’t an easy process, and when you share your fitness journey with a few like-minded people, it keeps you focused and accountable. It can be your workout partner, a fitness trainer, an online community, or a family member who can cheer you up when things get tough.

Remember it’s your life, your body, and your goal.

If you don’t want to attract any negative energy from your community, it’s better to keep it private.

6. Always Track and Act

The only way to ensure that you are on the right path towards your goals is when you keep track of your progress. There are many ways to track your goals; one is by keeping a workout journal or a wellness application like Vantage Fit.

You can make a detailed journal of your weekly fitness goals and monthly fitness goals noting down the calories burned, the number of steps walked, or workouts you did. This way, you also get an idea of the number of hours you spent in the gym and the amount of weight you lifted in the previous workouts.

Remember, the number on the scale should not determine your progress. By this, you will also get stronger as you make progress both physically and mentally.

7. Live by your SMART Fitness Goals

Now you know how to set smart fitness goals that are just right for you.

Does everything end here?

Know that this is not just another new year resolution but a permanent lifestyle change. It is not something you stop once you achieve a certain amount of weight, but rather it is to set you on a path to a healthier and happier life forever. That means you have to continue this journey every single day.

There would be lots of ups and downs. If you can foresee this and avoid falling back into your lazy habits, then you’re bound to achieve your success irrespective of any obstacles.

Achieving our goals isn’t about willpower; instead, developing the right skills and strategies is.

This is where help from fantastic health and wellness applications comes in handy, and Vantage Fit is what we recommend.

How Vantage Fit can Help You Achieve Your SMART Fitness Goals

Vantage fit is an all in one wellness solution that helps an individual achieve their goals. Its state of the art design is super easy to use and engaging enough to keep you hooked with your wellness plan. It helps you systematically achieve your priorities, making you accountable for your health.

This is a perfect application for corporate employees who complain of being lazy and inactive while at work.

Employers can monitor their employee’s health status using a real time HR Dashboard.Features 7-minute workout, health risk assessments, step counter, nutrition tracker, calorie counter, and a detailed health diary helps you track your daily, monthly, and weekly goals in a gamified experience.

So what are you waiting for? Request a demo right now.