One of the most important things in any fitness plan is setting goals. There is certainly something you hope to accomplish, whether it is hitting a certain number on the scale or on a clock, or finishing a major event. The key is to set a fitness goal that will challenge you, yet is realistic.

Those people that told you that you could achieve anything you put your mind to were absolutely correct. Of course, it is important to set yourself up for success. Anything you hope to accomplish should include a well thought out plan with attainable goals. This doesn’t mean things should be simple, however. It means that you should follow a progression of smaller goals that will help you to build up to that big, hairy goal with the ability to celebrate success along the way.

If you set a big hairy goal, with no real plan to achieve it, things can become frustrating and discouraging quickly. It is difficult to keep going when the only goal you have is so far away that you can hardly see it. On the other hand, think of the smaller things that you must complete along the way. By chopping up a big goal into smaller pieces, you will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

On a side note, you need to be careful. When you reward yourself for achieving small goals, it is important that they stay in line with your overall goal. For example, if you have an overall weight loss goal and have achieved a smaller goal of keeping your calorie count under a certain level, you should not celebrate by gorging yourself. By making a cohesive plan, stay on track and reward yourself appropriately as part of your bigger plan.