Goal Setting: how , when and why

tbrain1989

im after some general help and advice.

I am really struggling to set any goals. not just in terms of weight but also training. ive recently given up rugby (for about the 3rd time) so i dont have anything to train for.

i have set a few weight loss goals, some short and long term and they've made me feel a quite motivated.

so what other goals do you guys set?

sbrandt37

I had a big weight loss goal. At least, it felt big until I got here and saw the Herculean efforts others have accomplished. I have found it most helpful to focus my energy on the small lifestyle changes that get me there: daily logging, daily calorie deficits, and daily physical activity. Those things are within my control, and each one is a success and a gift to myself that contributes to my health and well-being. Making them a habit ensures that I will hit my weight loss goal and stay there. I am now within 2 pounds of it.

I started running in December, after an aggressive 18 months using an elliptical, bicycling, and doing some random weightlifting. I have always hated running, but now I am enjoying it. An MFP friend invited/challenged me to run a sub-60 minute 10K with her in April in France (I live in California). That has been highly motivating. I'm running frequently, experiencing big beginner gains, and losing both pounds and inches, while rapidly getting noticeably fitter.

sijomial

I'm really self-competitive so when I gave up playing squash seriously I didn't really miss the competition aspect - it's just that my opponent changed!
I tend to have both short and long term goals/challenges.

I've had rowing goals - 2k VO2 max test is fun, 5k test is horrible but challenging.
100 sit ups, 100 press ups.
BW bench press and lat pull down - now aiming for BW x1.5 bench but that's turned into a long slog.
Running goals (I actually detest running....) 3k in under 15mins (yes I'm also rather slow!).
Beating my son on rare times I can get him on a squash court - actually just being able to play sport with my son when I'm old and a bit battered is a joy.

But cycling is my main passion and forms the arena most of my fitness goals.
Was 100 miles in a day, then 100 miles in 6 hours, Audax long distance events, max power output for an hour in the gym, defeating big hills etc. etc.
Strava app feeds my competitive nature to see my own progress and rate myself against others.


BTW - coaching youth rugby is very rewarding if you want to stay involved in the sport without playing.

Machka9

See my goals for 2017 here: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10493928/2017-resolutions-yours#latest


Regarding my weight loss goals, when I signed on here, at first my plan was to stick with it for 5 weeks. I figured if I lost just a kg or two in that time, it would be better than where I was. By 3 weeks I had lost 3 kg, so I decided to extend my time to 16 weeks.

So I didn't have a goal to lose a certain number of kg ... my goal was to stick with it for a certain amount of time and see where I ended up.