8 Habits of People Who Reach Their Fitness Goals

1.) They set specific goals  

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”  --Tony Robbins

In order to reach your goals, you’ll first have to decide exactly what they are.  People who reach their fitness goals know where their finish line is.  Rather than simply saying they want to lose weight or build muscle, they put a tangible number behind it and maybe even a deadline.  Using SMART Goals can make this initial process much easier and help you develop a game-plan.

2.) They know WHY they want to reach their goals

Everyone wants a great body, but we all want it for different reasons.  The motivation behind those goals has to be strong enough to get you out of bed in the morning, powerful enough to make you workout even on days where you’d rather stay home and sit on the couch.  The trick is to remind yourself of those reasons frequently to help drive yourself forward and keep you motivated.

3.) They take time to develop a game-plan

They are able to create a strategic game-plan for achieving their fitness goals.  They schedule their workouts in advance, knowing exactly when they will be coming to the gym, but more importantly they know WHAT they will be doing when they get there.  Ben Franklin said, “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”  Walking into the gym with a game-plan in mind makes it much easier to accomplish those goals.

4.) They take action…consistently

We can have the best game-plan in the world, but none of that matters if we don’t execute that plan on a consistent basis.  Those who are successful don’t just set goals and create a plan, they act on them.  They understand that it’s impossible to reach their goals if they don’t do the work.  They make commitments and hold themselves accountable to those commitments, knowing that if they stay consistent, they will get closer and closer to their goals.

5.) They understand that it’s not a temporary fix, but a lifestyle change

Many people are able to lose weight through extreme dieting practices and excessive exercise sessions, however the majority of those people gain some, if not all of the weight back.  Successful gym-goers make exercise and eating healthy part of their daily routine.  When they are out with family or friends at a restaurant, they start choosing healthier entrees.  They go to bed at a reasonable time to make sure they will have enough energy for tomorrow’s workout.  Those who are successful always have their goals at the forefront of their mind and don’t let obstacles stop or derail them along the path to those goals.

6.) They track and monitor their progress

“Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself.  Be proud of every step you take toward reaching that goal.”   --Unknown

Keeping track of your progress is one of the keys to being successful.  People who reach their goals keep track of their results along the way.  They pay attention to what’s working and what’s not working and adjust their plan if need be.  They are experts at using their results as motivation to stay consistent.  They focus on gradual improvements over time knowing that this is a marathon and not a sprint.  It’s not like we wake up 40lbs heavier overnight.  Long-term results take time, patience, and determination.

7.) They develop a support system

Losing weight and making a lifestyle change are hard enough to do on their own.  It becomes even harder when your friends and family members are sabotaging your efforts.  Successful people explain how important their goals are to them and make sure that everyone is on the same page.  By having a strong support system surrounding you and cheering you on, it will be much easier for you to reach your fitness goals.

8.) They believe they can achieve their goals

“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”  --Napoleon Hill

Those who reach their goals do so because they firmly believe that they can.  They are willing to spend hours, days, weeks, and even months searching for buried treasure because they are certain that the treasure exists.  They ignore those that doubt them and become a master of their own thoughts and mindset.  Remember that our thoughts create our reality.  If you truly believe in yourself, believe that this is possible, and stay consistent along the way, there is no limit to what you can achieve!

Yours in health,

Tom Daubert

ACSM CEP

Compel Fitness