Goals are helpful in changing our behavior by providing us focus, structure, and

Goals are helpful in changing our behavior by providing us focus, structure, and a metric to track our progress. Using the S.M.A.R.T. acronym ensures that these goals are not just practical and effective, but that they are also meaningful and relevant. When these aspects are met, we are more likely to follow through and stick with the goals we have set. Begin by selecting a goal related to cardiorespiratory fitness. This could include walking, running, biking, stair-climbing, high-intensity interval training (which can be performed inside with minimal equipment), or other forms of cardiorespiratory exercise. Be sure the goal is S.M.A.R.T. as the following questions will ask you to specify how it meets each criteria. 1) What is your cardiorespiratory fitness goal? (“I will be able to…”) 2) What is your current level of ability related to that goal? (“I can currently…”) Now that we have a goal, we will need to determine what activities to perform and how frequently to perform them. Using the F.I.T.T. acronym, come up with a weekly plan for achieving your goal. 3) My F.I.T.T. plan: Frequency – Intensity – Type – Time – 4) How is this goal Specific? 5) How is this goal Measurable? 6) How is this goal Actionable? 7) How is this goal Relevant? 8) How is this goal Time Bound?