Goals.
We all have them. Whether it’s to become the President Of The United States or to pull a rabbit out of your hat, it’s good to have goals. Without goals, it’s easy to stumble through life and not do much of anything.
And goals you set for yourself are different, depending on your age. For example; a teenage boy’s goal might be to kiss the prettiest girl in school or not to be caught by his parents while sneaking in past curfew.
However, when you’re older you’ll have loftier goals. For example: to complete your college degree to get your dream job or get paid to play the sport you love. And you do everything in your power to make this happen because you want it badly.
It’s easy to get up and about for these goals because you’re highly motivated.
But what about when goals are health related or uncomfortable?
Like goals you need but you’re not fully passionate about, like giving up ice cream to lose 30 pounds.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not motivated to give up smooth, creamy and delicious ice cream for the sake of a few pounds. I need some other reasons besides fat loss.
Goal setting 101
The reason most people seek out personal training is to lose weight or to help with their pain. They don’t like the way they look, feel and move and they have failed in the past to help themselves.
Then they fork over their hard-earned cash to hire a coach to give direction and accountability.
When the client is finished with their coach’s initial physical assessments and answering questions about their lifestyle, the goal setting begins.
This is usually takes the route of the SMART method of goal setting and or motivational interviewing. (Note- there are other methods)
Both are great because to focus the client to drill down on their goal and to imagine how their life changes if they achieve it or not. Also, it helps the client buy into their goal because there a part of the process.
And nails them down to a timeframe to do it in. All of this is good stuff because to start change, you need some skin in the game.
This one thing needs to be a part of your goal setting
What is your (or their) why?
Chances are it wasn’t so they could stay the same — it’s because they wanted to change. And they’re willing to feel uncomfortable, get poked, prodded and asked a bunch of awkward questions for this to happen.
But before they came in, they should’ve asked themselves why.
Why do you want to change?
Because it’s easy to give a generic answer like’ I want to lose 20 pounds’ but there’s always a deeper reason behind it. And once you’ve found your why, it’s easier to stick to your guns when times get tough.
Whatever your reason for wanting to change yourself and health, get to the bottom of it by asking yourself the 5 whys. If you can’t do this, get a spouse or close friend to quiz you and be ready to go inside your own head.
Here’s an example.
Why are you here today? – To lose 20 pounds.
Why 20 pounds? – Because I’ll get down to my old high school weight.
Why is this important to you? – Because I want my energy and bounce back, like when I was in high school
Why is getting your energy back important at this time? – My wife is about to have a baby.
A baby, fantastic news. Why will losing 20 pounds help? – Because I need to be the best help to my wife and a better role model for my child.
Now you have some real skin in the game.
Wrapping up
It’s easy to throw money at a problem and expect someone else to fix it. But when it comes down to your health and fitness, it’s on you.
Your coach, doctor, supplements or exercise program you bought can’t change you. Only you can change you. And when you know your real ’why’, change becomes easier.
If you need help setting health and fitness goals, please contact me here. I can help.
Leave a Reply