Goal Setting
When setting your goals, try to ensure that they are "S.M.A.R.T." (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound).
Specific: What will you do, where, and when?
Measurable: How will you know when you have reached your goals? When making your goal(s), try to include one or more of the following: distance, time, weight, reps, heart rate, # of hours slept, # of meals eaten, # of calories or grams, # of exercise sessions, or anything else you can think of that will give you a measurable goal.
Attainable: Can you really achieve this goal?
Relevant: Are your goals relevant to your particular interests, abilities, and needs?
Time-bound: Instead of making a goal like: "I will go jogging 3 times next week." try including when exactly and for how long. Example: "I will jog at 7:30am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 30 minutes, for the next 12 weeks.”
Develop a reward system for achieving your goals, but make sure that they are positive rewards that keep you going in the right direction. Try not to reward yourself with food, as this could work against what you are trying to achieve. Instead, try rewarding yourself by going to a movie, meeting a friend to shop, buying a new CD or DVD, getting a massage or pedicure, buying some personal training, or going on a healthy vacation where you will be active.
Review your goals regularly to make sure that you are staying on track and to help keep yourself motivated.