Chapter Objectives What are goals? What is goal setting? How can setting goals help you take control of your health and fitness? What is the difference between long-term goals and short-term goals? What are the steps necessary for successful goal setting? Teen Years: A Topsy-Turvy Time Teenagers are going through a transition from children to adults. During this time, they experience physical, social, emotional, and mental changes that can cause positive or negative experiences. This is a time where teenagers need all the guidance they can get from parents and teachers. Taking Control of Your Health and Fitness There are two aspects that need a huge amount of attention: Health and Fitness. Diet, exercise, and use of time impact your lifestyle. Body image effects how you feel about yourself. People are often not as happy and healthy as they want to be because they do not know how to set goals. The responsibility for setting goals is yours. Goals are anything you desire. Goals are a guide for what you do and provide something to work towards. Goals help you achieve! What is goal setting? Goal setting is a process that can help you improve yourself. Short-Term Goals Goals you can accomplish in a short period of time Ex: Doing good on a test Days- Weeks Long-Term Goals You can use short-term goals to accomplish long-terms goals Ex: Planning to go to college Months- Years Goal Setting Is Like A Ladder The establishment of goals can be compared to a ladder. Think of the top rung as the long-term goal and all the rungs leading up to it as short-term goals. Every rung you reach delivers a positive feeling, encouraging you to reach for the next goal. With each goal insuring self-confidence, you will be motivated to reach higher on your performance ladder. Goa l How To Set Goals: Settin g Step s Goals are personal and are up to you to set. Desire What you desire is the most important factor in goal setting. After you set a goal, you can ask for others to help you reach your goal. Analyze Knowing what stage you are at when you start on your goal is essential in short term and long term goals. Recording this point helps you know how much closer you are to your goal and show you how far you have come. Set Realistic Goals This is a significant factor. If your goals are too hard, you will get discouraged; but if theyre too easy, you will become bored with them. Your goals need to be reachable yet challenging. Your goals should also be set on you current Personal Fitness level. Write Your Goals Down in Detail. Writing your goals down helps you clarify what you want. When you think of something it is just a wish, but by writing it down your idea is on the road to success For Example, if you had a goal to loose weight some benefits would be: a. improved body image b. gain in energy c. improved endurance d. increased self-confidence and self-esteem e. greater enjoyment of all types of physical activities List Benefits You Will Receive Identifying how you will benefit from accomplishing your goals is a very important, motivating step. Obstacles are inevitable when it comes to goal setting. Having willpower and believing in yourself are keys to over coming obstacles. Only you can control your actions, only you can shape your lifestyle. Identify obstacles Identify Knowledge You Will Need You will need to know how you are going to reach your goal before you begin. Make A Plan Of Action Make a step- by-step strategy for accomplishin g your goal. If you set up your strategy correctly, you will experience results more quickly. Develop A Time line Using a time line: Gives you a better sense of control, organization, and direction Promotes greater commitment to your goals Helps relieve worry and confusion Helps you pace your efforts Creates a sense of urgency to complete your goals Monitor Your Progress Goals should be accompanied by continuous monitoring to determine if they are still reasonable. Adjustment is sometimes necessary. Good monitoring will keep you from wasting time and loosing interest. Look to family and friends for feedback. Back your plan with determination. Do not be lead astray. Do not share your goals with people who will not be supportive. Be determined to take control of your lifestyle.