Reframing Summer Beach Body Goals for Success - Blog Copy

BLOG TITLE: Reframing Summer Beach Body Goals for Success

In summer, people often think about achieving a “certain look” on the beach.

It’s swimsuit season, and thoughts can turn to rippling abs and toned arms.

There’s nothing wrong with setting goals based on aesthetics. Your goals are important, and if you want to achieve a certain look or shape, a coach can help you do it.

But transformations don’t happen overnight, so it’s important to set other goals that will provide motivation and satisfaction as you work toward larger goals.

Read on for my recommendations!

SUBHEAD: Strength Goals

Many people would love to add some lean muscle. You can do that, but it takes time in the gym and some work in the kitchen, too.

But here’s a secret: You can improve your strength well before you add new, visible muscle. As you learn to lift, your brain makes better connections to the muscle that’s already there. That means you can often lift heavier loads in almost every session in the beginning.

When new clients start a strength program, it’s a lot of fun to watch the numbers climb. It’s an exciting time!

A person might squat with body weight in Week 1, an empty barbell in Week 2 and a loaded barbell in Week 3. The numbers often climb swiftly.

Actually adding new muscle takes longer—eight weeks or more is a good timeframe.

To avoid getting anxious while waiting to see physical changes, work with your coach to set strength goals you can accomplish early in your journey. If you do, you’ll have a lot to celebrate, and that will keep you smiling while you wait for visible changes.

SUBHEAD: Workout Streak

Losing body fat takes time, too. In a good training program, a person will gradually improve body composition over weeks and months.

Dramatic transformations usually involve drugs or unsustainable habits, so the steady approach is the right one.

But, again, it’s important to set other goals so you don’t get impatient “waiting for abs to appear.”

Workout streaks are a great way to set yourself up for wins. Maybe you have a body-fat percentage in mind, but as you work toward it, set a goal of hitting all three workouts every week. Or never missing a Monday session. Or going for two extra walks outside the gym. And so on.

I love it when clients set goals and log their workouts. They can then look back on their consistency, and they feel great about it.

The best part? Consistent training patterns will produce the other desired results much faster than sporadic training.

SUBHEAD: The Feelz

It’s harder to quantify feelings, but many people who build an exercise habit report increased energy, better sleep, improved confidence and more happiness—to name just a few “side effects” of exercise.

To document changes, I’d encourage you to log everything you notice.

You might want toned shoulders and six-pack abs at the end of the day, but no one complains about a good night’s sleep or an increased sense of self-worth earned through hard work in the gym.

Whenever you notice any changes as a result of working out, write them down in your logbook: “Slept 9 hours without waking up,” “Ran upstairs at work without getting winded,” and, “Felt proud to help that person lift the suitcase!”

This stuff will make you feel great when you read it!

SUBHEAD: Goals and Coaches

All your goals are important, but a coach can help you frame them so you don’t get frustrated when it takes some time to get the big results you want.

A coach’s job is to find out about your goals, make a plan to accomplish them on a realistic timeline and then help you do the required work. Part of the job is identifying milestones and celebrating successes that mark progress toward the major goals.

If you have goals this summer, let’s talk about a plan. We’ll give you timelines and advice, and you can ask any questions you like. If you want to move forward with the plan, we’ll make sure you’re smiling all the time as you work toward your goals.

To meet with an expert coach, book a free consultation here today [LINK]!