Setting SHORT-TERM goals
DerekHowes
Posts: 9 Member
We all have our long-term goals but a lot of people forget to set short-term goals. What are some of your short-term goals you guys set and (hopefully) reach on a daily/weekly/monthly basis? Long-term reward feels amazing but we also need short-term rewards! That race to the finish line in 100 degree weather will always feel better with a few cold rain showers a long the way!
Some short-term/weird daily/weekly things that I do:
Cut out a specific type of food that day (such as bread) or eat more of a certain item (like veggies)
Have multiple goals on cardio - that way even if I "cut it short", I'll still be reaching at least one of my goals and feel good instead of guilty. For example, calories, miles, vertical feet, time, etc goals.
When leaning out for a something I make sure to remind myself that the mirror is the best judge of bodyfat, not the scale (only weigh myself once a week)
I also find that just general short-term goals in life go hand-in-hand with keeping you motivated in the gym/on your diet. They make you feel good/give you confidence and push you further. One of my big "life" short-term goals is to read everyday!
Some short-term/weird daily/weekly things that I do:
Cut out a specific type of food that day (such as bread) or eat more of a certain item (like veggies)
Have multiple goals on cardio - that way even if I "cut it short", I'll still be reaching at least one of my goals and feel good instead of guilty. For example, calories, miles, vertical feet, time, etc goals.
When leaning out for a something I make sure to remind myself that the mirror is the best judge of bodyfat, not the scale (only weigh myself once a week)
I also find that just general short-term goals in life go hand-in-hand with keeping you motivated in the gym/on your diet. They make you feel good/give you confidence and push you further. One of my big "life" short-term goals is to read everyday!
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Replies
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Good Post! I love to set daily weekly goals etc. It keeps me focused and challenged:-)0
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20lbs by St. Patrick's Day. I'm starting to make a dent in it, haha. I still have a long way to go after that.0
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my goal is to learn how to make tasty great meals that fit within my calories. to not look at it s deprivation..just being smarter in meal preparation...i'm embracing exotic spices. Looking to indian influences..chilies..and creative way to make sauces that make eating healthy like eating bad. lol.0
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10 lbs by valetines day. 1.5 min faster per mile this month =D0
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my goal is to learn how to make tasty great meals that fit within my calories. to not look at it s deprivation..just being smarter in meal preparation...i'm embracing exotic spices. Looking to indian influences..chilies..and creative way to make sauces that make eating healthy like eating bad. lol.
Ooo I love indian. I bet curried cauliflower would be fantastic. Anyone have recipes?0 -
Love this! I have my ultimate goal of getting down to 125, but because I'm starting at nearly 400 lbs, 276 lbs to lose can seem kind of daunting. So I have cut that weight into mini goals for myself. Once I reach that weight, I want to treat myself with something special and non-food related: a mani/pedi, some new clothes, a new pair of shoes, something that will build confidence and make me eager to reach that next 25 lb. mark.
I love your idea of setting daily goals though. Instead of looking at something as deprivation, it's better to reform that idea into a goal... You're absolutely right. And I'm still learning to set my mind straight and view getting healthy as being a positive experience.0 -
You know i never thought of a short term goal as doing something as simple as cutting bread out for one or a couple of days, what a great idea! I've always tthought of short term goals as wieghing "X" amount by this date and then "X" amount by that date, to finally add up to my grand number of lbs lost.
Thanks for the new perspective...i'm already thinking of tons of new short term goals
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short term goals......................... get atleast one day of strength traning in a week to boost my matabolism, ive already cut fresh veg out of my diet unless its home grown reasons of my own.
great post its got mi mind on over drive to set some more goals x0 -
WoW - youre totally right! I havent even though about "short term" goals. I just keep thinking if I am 25 lbs lighter Ill feel better and can start focusing on toning!! Putting it into daily, weekly, and even monthly goals makes it easier to think about and probably achieve. Thank you for posting!!0
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I hadn't really thought about using this idea concerning fitness goals… my most immediate goal is to be 2lbs lighter than my last weigh in at my next dr appt (my 16wk pre-natal appt). I'm joining the university gym that my husband attends (mostly because they have a pool!), and I will have to implement this strategy. Thanks!0
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I have a short term (6 month) weight goal. After seeing what I'm eating, I'm trying to include more calcium...I hadn't realized how very little I was taking in!
After that I'll start looking at my sugar intake, which is still higher than I'd like.0 -
Increase my avg. cycling speed by 5mph by march. Be able to hike again. Recuce sugar & carb intake. Right now I'm recovering from a mild, exercise induced heart attack. So slow & easy for now.0
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Eat more delicious things.0
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marinate cauliflower in curry sauce then oven cook it0
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I have short goals every day!
1. Get to the gym...done
2. 35 mins on the elliptical..wait, no...i can do 10 more...wait no, i can do 10 more.
3. can i get on the tredmill? Hell yes I can...goal 10 mins...wait, i can do a few more mins.
Food goals:
not eating like CRAP0 -
1. To get back to spin class once a week
2. obtain 4.0 USTA tennis ranking
3. do a real pull up
Long term goal is to get to a weight of 165#!0 -
By Valentines day, Id like to fit BACK into my white demin skinny jeans. Thats one size. Thats completely possible. I will win!0
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For me, I have many short term goals. Such as by June 1st I'd like to be down to 140lbs then take the rest of the year to weight train. I'd also like to lose 10lbs each month to get there that way I stay on track. I've got about 2 more pounds to lose this month to reach my goal ahead of schedule...I'd love it if I could stay ahead of schedule.
I plan on working out Monday through Friday starting in February and to get a gym membership in the summer months too. My goals aren't really goals per say but they work for me. Oh and I have a $200 gift card for old navy to shop with this summer once I lose the weight...that is a great motivator too.0 -
I'd like to get through Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30....6 days a week, doing 3 days, 1 day of rest, 3 days on. When I get through this first week, I'll be super proud of myself lol0
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1. Learn some new things to do with free weights for more variety to my workouts
2. Up my dumbbells to the next KG0 -
I agree completely! I always have at least 3 goals: 1 for the week, one for 3 months out and my end goal. Having a lot of weight to lose can be really overwhelming, and it's easy to get frustrated with your long-term goal because it might be years away. Having mini goals along the way definitely increase my motivation and keep me on track.0
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What a good post! I actually haven't thought about any "short-term" goals except for making the gym 3 days a week (at least). I'll have to think this over!0
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My short term goals are simple: do at least one house chore a day, do not buy what I do not need, feed my body wholesome foods only when I am hungry, engage in a conversation with my teenage son on whatever topic he wants to talk about, do not worry about what I cannot control, remember that I only exist in the present. All those small goals often leave me at the end of the day with a warm feeling of accomplishment.
I never reward myself with food or something I need to buy. My reward is usually to take a day off and go hike or go on a mini road trip.0 -
love this! My first short-term goal was to loose 5lbs. Got that done!!
Daily goals:
find healthier, lower calorie meals/foods that I LOVE! (without using artificial sweeteners)
exercise daily!
My weekly goal is to exercise 6 days/wk.
My first monthly goal is to reward myself with new shoes if I meet my 6 day/wk exercise plan for 4 straight weeks.
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I never thought of them as short-term goals, but yea I do that every day. "Stick to the plan" is the most popular one.
with exercise I set a goal I want to achieve and cant quit til i get there.0 -
Eat more delicious things.
I like the cut of your jib!0 -
each day that I stick to my calories is a mini goal achieved
I was thinking of non food treats such as a new bit of make-up for 10lbs off. At the moment though I am just celebrating every time I "Don't" you know- have a bun, cheese sandwich, bag of crisps...I can fit these things in - BUT they are crow bars with which my diet saboteur brakes out so not yet x 0 -
My short term goals are simple: do at least one house chore a day, do not buy what I do not need, feed my body wholesome foods only when I am hungry, engage in a conversation with my teenage son on whatever topic he wants to talk about, do not worry about what I cannot control, remember that I only exist in the present. All those small goals often leave me at the end of the day with a warm feeling of accomplishment.
I never reward myself with food or something I need to buy. My reward is usually to take a day off and go hike or go on a mini road trip.
That just about sums up what we all should be doing thanks! 0 -
My mini goals are to try 2 completely new meals every week. I have always been kind of stuck in what I like to eat and not huge on trying new foods. My ongoing short term is to lose 7% of my body weight.0
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