Set realistic goals

If you’re reading this column then there’s a good chance that you are on some sort of fitness journey.

Maybe you haven’t acknowledged it completely yet but you may have some sort of goal in mind, whether it be to look good on your next holiday, play a game of rugby for the Golden Oldies, or just become healthier.
 
Any of these is a good start, it is incredibly important to have a goal in mind when you are dieting and training as it can give you a light to run towards as opposed to running in darkness.

If you don’t currently have one then think of one, a realistic, long-term goal that eventually (perhaps even in years) you could accomplish.

Now break that goal down into smaller parts, firstly, for what you want to accomplish in a month or so and then, secondly, for this specific week.

As I mentioned a few weeks back it is important not to take on too much too soon, if you have your long-term goal then you know what you are working towards.
 
Just improve on what you did last week – maybe lift a couple of extra kilos, do an extra couple of repetitions, or if last week you only made it to the gym once, try and get there twice.
 
This is best done when you look back at what you did in the last week and set an improvement for the week ahead.

All of these baby steps should be leading you closer towards that big goal, if you constantly make progress, before you know it, those weeks have added up and you have achieved something that you have only dreamed of.

Next week, goal setting Part 2.

* TJ Jankowski is based at Bahrain Rugby Football Club and offers fitness advice and classes. Contact performance@bahrainrfc.com for more details.