If you google “goal setting” you’re going to see a multitude of links telling you that your goals should be S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, action oriented, realistic, and timed).  I totally agree that this is the best way to set goals.  But in my experience as a trainer, it is not always easy.  The hiccup comes at the ACTION part of the statement.  It is easy to come up with a specific, measurable, & realistic goal.  For example – “I want to lose 10-lbs”.  I hear statements and goals like this all the time, but my question is always the same. How are you going to get there?  What actions are you going to take?  This is where it becomes difficult.  Setting a goal and doing what it takes to reach it are two entirely different things.

Since January we’ve been doing a series of star challenges.  We get a calendar star on the days we do the challenge action and we don’t get a star on the days we don’t do the work.  It has been that simple – star or no star.  As we wrap up our challenge series, I’d like for each of us to pick our own challenge action(s) this month in regards to our own personal goal.  If you so choose to participate, here’s your goal setting homework…

• Pick a specific S.M.A.R.T. goal that you’d like to accomplish over the next few weeks or months.
• Do a little research and reflection on what works best for you and come up with some action steps that will help you meet that goal in a timely manner.
• Go over that list again and be sure that all the verbs in each action step are active and require a true action on your part.  Make sure each action step is described in detail exactly how it will be done.  “I will work out more” is not detailed enough.  Write down the days and times you will work out each week.  “I will eat less junk” is not specific enough.  “I will no longer eat a sweet treat after lunch everyday” is much more specific.  “I will lose 5-lbs the first week” is not an action step.  You can not control your exact weight loss.  You can only control your behavior and actions that lead toward it.  We are looking for a list of exact and specific things you can control and that you can do.
• Chances are your list is too long and overwhelming.  So let’s go over it again and select just a few primary things to work on this month.  You can add in the other steps when you feel you have the primary ones under control.
• Now you have a real list of action steps that you can do this month, but just making a list is not going to get you to your goal.  You have to make a commitment to actually do them.  If you’re serious about it and are going to really challenge yourself to do them this month, tell someone that will hold you accountable.  Don’t try to go it alone.  It is too easy to drop something when it’s hidden in private.  I’m here for you and I’d be happy for you to report to me anytime.  Also, feel free to use our private Facebook group as a platform of accountability.  We can all cheer each other on!
• Keep your list visible and review it daily.  Use check marks, stars, or whatever helps you feel accomplished to mark your progress.

This list that you have created and committed to doing should help to keep you focused and energized so that you don’t become fragmented in your efforts.  Remember, each action step plays a part in reaching the overall goal.  Every fitness and nutrition decision you make, for the good or the bad, will either bring you closer to meeting your fitness goal on time or it will delay it or put it off indefinitely.  When you’re deciding between an extra 30 minutes in bed or a 30 minute workout, ask yourself if you want to get to your goal sooner or if you’re ok delaying it.  When deciding between eating that next slice of pizza or stopping at a reasonable serving, ask yourself if you want to obey your commitment or delay your goal.  When grocery shopping hungry and passing the candy aisle, simply ask yourself “sooner or later?”.  When it becomes less about the deprivation of the here and now and more about the self gratification of ultimately reaching your big goal, it becomes a little easier to stay on track.

Each day with each fitness decision you make you get the opportunity to accept or decline your goal.  The more times you accept the work, the sooner you reach your goal.  It’s up to you.  No one else can do it for you.  As always, I believe in you and I’m in your corner!!

May Camp News

Pay Online

Live @ FLC – $60

• Starts Mon, May 2nd
• Choose 5:30am or 7:30am for Fit Camp, or 8:30am for BASIC30
• Dates: 2 · 4 · 9 · 11 · 16 · 18 · 23 · 25 (8 sessions)
• No camp on Memorial Day (the 30th)
• $60

@Home – $30

• Workout anytime at home by video
• YouTube Playlist Link available by May 1st (8 pre-recorded starter videos w/ 2 new videos added weekly)
• If you’d like you can workout with me on Thursdays via Zoom as I record new videos — 7:30am(Fit Camp) or 8:30am(BASIC30)
• Zoom Recording Dates: 5 · 12 · 19 · 26 (4 recording sessions)
• $30

Full Access – $85

• Why settle for just Live or @Home when you can have both!!  You can workout with me and our FLC crew Live on Mondays and Wednesdays (as many classes as you want) and have access to videos to do @Home on any other day of the month.  What better way to get in shape and stay in shape!!

A La Carte: $10/per class or 5 classes for $45, 6 for $50, 7 for $55

Package payments must be made in advance, they are non transferable, and are only good for the month of the Boot Camp for which they were purchased. Payment options include: Cash, Check, Card, Cash App, paypal.me/followmefit, Venmo, Google Pay, & Zelle.

Links:

More Camp Info | Camp Registration | Pay Online | followmefit.net