October 13th, 2023
So my brother, you want to have that body from your teens and early 20’s? A six pack to replace that keg you have developed over the last decade? To be able to “chase” your dreams without passing out from being so out of shape? Well, you are in the right place! We know that having physical fitness is a DESIRE for a majority of men, but is it an actual GOAL? One of my favorite motivational speakers, Eric Thomas, says “everybody wants to be a beast, until it’s time to do what beasts do!”
Fitness for the body is defined as, “the condition of being physically fit and healthy.” Fitness for your functionality (work, career) is defined as “the quality of being suitable to fulfill a particular role or task.” We have to realize that the difference between fitness being a dream and a reality is centered around how SMART we are in setting fitness as a goal. No, I am not trying to insult any one’s intelligence, but I am talking about a great acronym and practice that will get you to your desired body or mindset.
S.M.A.R.T is broken down in the following way:
S-Specific: we must be specific about the actual goal(s) that we want to achieve in our physical fitness or other areas of life. What is your desired weight, what is your desired fitness goal (run 1 mile, 2 miles, 5k, 10k, 10,000 steps a day, lift 225, etc.)? Whatever your goal is, until you are specific and to go even further, WRITE IT DOWN, it will not resonate or start to become a reality. One of my goals is to run 1.5 miles in 15 min. I will turn 50 in one month and I think it is a great gift to myself.
M-Measurable: you must be able to measure your progress, meaning it must be tangible. You can’t just say I want to FEEL better, because a feeling is as fleeting as the wind, it will change. I walk/run every day and time myself to see how well I am progressing. It’s a process, but the beauty is in the journey. Have a way to measure your progress, so that you can celebrate and stay motivated as you go forward.
A-Achievable: Your goal must not be so daunting that you don’t even have the courage to begin! We are all creatures of habit and mostly of comfort. Change is difficult, but necessary in order to grow. Set a goal that you BELIEVE you can achieve, and once you have reached it, celebrate and set another goal in another area. Getting small wins is the best way to gain confidence in your abilities not just physically, but in every aspect of your life.
R-Realistic: Being realistic in your goal is essential to your success. I used to weigh 160 in high school (lightweight). I currently weigh 225, but in the beginning of 2022 I weighed 247. My realistic goal is 205, which is a weight I haven’t experienced in over 20 years, but it is realistic for Me. You know what is realistic for yourself. You’ll have more buy in to your own goals than for someone else to set it for you.
T-Timely: You must put a beginning and end date on your goal. This will cause you to prioritize and will also hold yourself accountable. Some of us operate very well with deadlines, while some stress out. Either way, you can experience success by putting a timeline and deadline on your goal and share with your support team or accountability partner. Do not feel bad if you have to have someone in your life to help you get up and go. God did not create us to be an island unto ourselves, we are created for relationship with Him and with others. I am thankful for the people that keep me motivated.
Lastly, when you set your SMART goal, make it easy to say YES and hard to say NO. Set up reminders so that your goal will not be a hindrance to your everyday life. Put your workout gear in your car the night before or by your door so that you will see it, have it, and won’t be able to make an excuse. Nietzsche said, “you yourself will always be the worst enemy you can encounter;” Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Speak life to yourself and to your SMART goal. Enjoy your fitness journey and remember:
Don't Give Up! You Are Not Alone!
Written by: Reggie L. Carter
Fitness for the body is defined as, “the condition of being physically fit and healthy.” Fitness for your functionality (work, career) is defined as “the quality of being suitable to fulfill a particular role or task.” We have to realize that the difference between fitness being a dream and a reality is centered around how SMART we are in setting fitness as a goal. No, I am not trying to insult any one’s intelligence, but I am talking about a great acronym and practice that will get you to your desired body or mindset.
S.M.A.R.T is broken down in the following way:
S-Specific: we must be specific about the actual goal(s) that we want to achieve in our physical fitness or other areas of life. What is your desired weight, what is your desired fitness goal (run 1 mile, 2 miles, 5k, 10k, 10,000 steps a day, lift 225, etc.)? Whatever your goal is, until you are specific and to go even further, WRITE IT DOWN, it will not resonate or start to become a reality. One of my goals is to run 1.5 miles in 15 min. I will turn 50 in one month and I think it is a great gift to myself.
M-Measurable: you must be able to measure your progress, meaning it must be tangible. You can’t just say I want to FEEL better, because a feeling is as fleeting as the wind, it will change. I walk/run every day and time myself to see how well I am progressing. It’s a process, but the beauty is in the journey. Have a way to measure your progress, so that you can celebrate and stay motivated as you go forward.
A-Achievable: Your goal must not be so daunting that you don’t even have the courage to begin! We are all creatures of habit and mostly of comfort. Change is difficult, but necessary in order to grow. Set a goal that you BELIEVE you can achieve, and once you have reached it, celebrate and set another goal in another area. Getting small wins is the best way to gain confidence in your abilities not just physically, but in every aspect of your life.
R-Realistic: Being realistic in your goal is essential to your success. I used to weigh 160 in high school (lightweight). I currently weigh 225, but in the beginning of 2022 I weighed 247. My realistic goal is 205, which is a weight I haven’t experienced in over 20 years, but it is realistic for Me. You know what is realistic for yourself. You’ll have more buy in to your own goals than for someone else to set it for you.
T-Timely: You must put a beginning and end date on your goal. This will cause you to prioritize and will also hold yourself accountable. Some of us operate very well with deadlines, while some stress out. Either way, you can experience success by putting a timeline and deadline on your goal and share with your support team or accountability partner. Do not feel bad if you have to have someone in your life to help you get up and go. God did not create us to be an island unto ourselves, we are created for relationship with Him and with others. I am thankful for the people that keep me motivated.
Lastly, when you set your SMART goal, make it easy to say YES and hard to say NO. Set up reminders so that your goal will not be a hindrance to your everyday life. Put your workout gear in your car the night before or by your door so that you will see it, have it, and won’t be able to make an excuse. Nietzsche said, “you yourself will always be the worst enemy you can encounter;” Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Speak life to yourself and to your SMART goal. Enjoy your fitness journey and remember:
Don't Give Up! You Are Not Alone!
Written by: Reggie L. Carter
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