If you are planning a health program of any kind, the first thing to consider is your objective. Without an objective or definite plan, your health program will go astray and the results will be non-existent or not long-lasting in any case. If you give yourself a goal, you will have a better idea of how to accomplish it.
Should your aim be weight loss, plan it out carefully, better still write down a definite program, noting how much weight you wish to lose and in what period span you intend to lose the weight.
Keep in mind that if you want to lose your weight permanently, you must not go on crash diets, but should be losing about one or two pounds a week.
If your aim is strength training or you plan to improve your endurance, then write down your program specifying the steps to follow and the progress you are making, in order to achieve your objective. Keep in mind, that if you have figures to measure up to you will surely succeed.
Before starting any program you must pass the S.M.A.R.T test. S.M.A.R.T stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.
When you have decided what program to implement ask yourself whether it is specific, in other words, is it the right kind of program for what I plan to achieve, is it measurable, how many pounds will I be losing, can you achieve results, are they too extreme or am I up to it?
Ask yourself whether it is realistic or feasible and lastly if it is timely, that is you must plan a length of time in which to implement your plan and the aim you intend to reach must be realistically attainable. If your program passes all the questions then it is the right one for you and it will surely work.
Keep an objective point of view and keep to your target, there is an exact distance you need to go and you have to plan when to get there.
You cannot just state that your plan is to keep fit and lose weight; it is too evasive, when will you be sure you have reached your objective?
You must give yourself more precise aims, determining the exact weight you intend to lose and the number of pushups or runs you can do at the end of your program.
When you fix specific figures for your program, as for example by the end of your program you wish to run three miles, increase your strength by double your current one and lose one stone in two months, this will help you achieve them for it has passed all the points in the S.M.A.R.T test.
To make things a little easier, to begin with, you may start with smaller objectives that span over shorter periods of time, for one month or two at the most.
Once you have fixed your aims, you will find it easier to abide by them and you will be making fitness and health an integrated part of your lifestyle
