Setting Goals during a Quarantine

This year has been... well we all know how it has been. As we welcome 2021, the last thing we need are stressful, unrealistic New Year's resolutions. That's not to say that we shouldn't set goals for ourselves. Dedicating thought, energy, and time to our health and well-being is more important now than ever before. But let's be sure to make S.M.A.R.T goals for the days ahead, and to acknowledge the tole this year has taken on us. Here are some helpful ways to set goals during this time.

Make your goal SPECIFIC. Instead of "I want to work out more next year", your goal could be "I want to take one yoga class every week for the next 3 months." or "I want to go on a 30 minute walk everyday this month."

Your goal should be MEASURABLE. Schedule your weekly class or daily walk in your calendar and mark it off as completed.

Check that your goal is ATTAINABLE. Somedays are harder than others. Know this, and set a goal for yourself that is challenging, yet doable in your current physical, mental, and emotional state, not where you were 9 months ago.

Be honest, and make your goal REALISTIC. New to fitness or recently taken time off? Signing up for a rigorous 30-day bootcamp might do more harm than good. Give yourself a win by setting a realistic, yet challenging goal from the get-go.

Lastly, set a goal that is TIMELY. Keep yourself on track with both short-term and long-term goals. Completing your short term goal of 1 or 3 months will motivate you to see your goal out for the rest of the year.

Note: If you have been diagnosed with Covid-19, working out will look a little different, and your goals should reflect that! I've gotten to work with people recovering from COVID-19, and slow progressions over a long period of time have yielded incredible results! You can check out this article from the NYTimes for info and tips about returning to fitness after illness.

Happy New Year!

-Julia