Finding motivation beyond the scales
When we talk about goal setting in the fitness industry the focus is often on weight loss, how to do it and how to do it fast. Very rarely do we discuss the mindset that needs come with weight loss or how we maintain that goal. 80% of people who loose weight put it back on within a 5 year period and those who manage to hit their target feel lost after reaching it as they were purely aiming for a number.
Therefore it is time we changed the focus, yes weight loss will still be the main reason why people join any gym, but why will YOU stay and not be the statistic? Why, because your why is bigger than a number, you are more important than a number and your goal is continuously evolving.
Firstly, to set a goal you need to understand why you are there to start with, your “end” number is your motivation but why are you actually doing this?
Your why is your purpose, this is what will keep you focused in tough times, this will get you up every morning and firing, this will keep you motivated and most importantly will give you a sense of fulfilment.
Here are a few questions to help you find your why.
What are you most grateful for? How would it feel loosing this?
What would you love to change most in the world? What fires you up?
When you are 70 how do you want to feel and how will you reflect on your life?
What is your passion?
When your children or significant others are in your company how do you want them to feel?
What are you great at? What areas need development?
How do you want to feel in your own body?
A great book to read on finding your why is Simon Sinek- Start with Why.
Now that you are on your way to understanding and finding your why, you can start setting goals.
Going back to the 3rd question. How will you feel when you are 70 and how will you reflect on your life? Here is your first goal, this goal will include positional goals ( i.e.. position at work, money) it will hold health, spirituality, family, friends and wealth goals. The importance in this goal is it’s how you envisage your life.
Once completing your life goal work backwards from here, this might include setting a 10 year goal from today or only focusing on the next 3-5 years, then setting annual, monthly & weekly goals that all contribute to your“life goal”
For example your life goal for your health might be too not have regular doctors appointments, understand how to keep your body healthy and what it needs. Be surrounded by family and loved ones.
5 year goal- Exercise 3 times a week, daily meditation, eating continuously the right food for your body.
1 year goal- Having stayed with the gym for 1 year, comfortable an happy with your bodyweight & shape. ready to maintain.
6 months- At goal weight.
3 months- Add an additional day of exercise. Making strong progress towards goal weight.
1 month- Committed to a gym/ training program for 24 weeks. Make positive changes to food choices. Understand why you shouldn’t eat the processed food.
Now it is your turn. Start with your life goal and work backwards, the key to success is truly understanding your why, having purpose in your life will allow you to meet your goals.
Wanting further advice or coaching, get in touch with us on Facebook at Functional Fitness Plus