Fitness goals -- helpful?

VERY key I think!  Setting the goal to something that is attainable in the somewhat near future makes it much easier to use for motivation.  Even if the long term goal is an IM in 3 years having interim goals of a sprint, oly, HIM etc can help feed the motivation with endorphins.  

Also, wanted to add kudos to the OP for doing this kind of counseling with your patients.  I've often heard the "Get more exercise" line but nothing more than that.  By working with your patients to create goals and strategies that are attainable you are providing a far more valuable service than many doctors do.  

I'm a huge huge believer in goal setting.   I tell people all the time that there are no unrealistic goals, only unrealistic timeframes.   It is absolutely astounding to me when you make goals, and then commit to them, how life mysteriously aligns with the target.  I believe in writing fairly developed, well thought out goals (i.e. not as simple as 'Run a 5K in under 25 mins', which is the way my long term goals are written on BT).  Here's something on goals I wrote from a thread on weight loss a few months ago. (obviously could be for anything)...

...Goal setting helps a ton.  Write them out, put them on your fridge & mirror, read them 5x/day.  Write what weight you will be by whatever date.  Write it in the present tense like it's already happened and tie some emotions to it.  Like how great it feels to weigh x and how thrilled you are that through discipline & commitment you healthfully got to this weight.  How awesome it is to run at this weight, etc. etc....

Also, here is a quote that a great BT'er sent me that was from the top of one of the BT forums.

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative or creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: the moment one definitely commits oneself, then . . . a whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 

For me--a total noob--setting race-related goal(s) has been far more effective than just setting a goal weight. I have a short term goal of a 5k in early October (it's not much, but it's a big step for a "computer-chair" potato), and I have more vague goals at this point about doing a sprint Tri next year... those are the goals that have helped me log my nutrition and those are the goals that get me out of bed at what we in the Navy used to call "Oh-dot-thirty" in the morning to go swim or run before work...

The payoff? Had a follow-up to a physical in June (my "check with the Dr. first" physical) today... I've lost 25 pounds and my blood pressure is no longer in the "I'm putting you on blood pressure medication unless you start getting your weight down" zone.

I honestly don't think I could keep motivated without those goals... from prior experience (a lot of it ) setting a goal weight without some physical activity goal resulted in me giving up with little impact on my fitness or my weight. Just anecdotal evidence, but I'm sold!

I think the last line here is key.  I see this all the time as well (child psychiatrist). But I find most of the time my patients are not very motivated or realistic about change. Even giving them smaller goals (e.g. walk your dog daily for the next 2 weeks) often doesn't happen. And of course, the family doesn't make change, such as getting rid of the junk foods in the home, or getting the TV out of the bedroom, or being active as a family.

Hazelmn - 2008-08-20 9:43 PM Realize that you are asking a bunch of people with competitive juices For people who are dedicated enough to fitness to not only do Triathlons but also sharpen their skills on Boards like these, yes, a goal of a specific event is huge. I personally don't care how I look or what my cholesterol tests at, because if I'm doing well in my Tri's, that stuff is probably all taking care of itself. On the other hand, I have some coworkers who would never do a Tri, they would be more motivating by knowing they can look in the mirror in 3 months and see a slimmer person. Doesn't matter if they can finish a Tri, finish in the top half, etc. I think the key is finding something they are interested in.... running, tennis, skiing, whatever. their goal should be around that. I've seen a few people do 1 Tri, finish, feel great about it, and then slip back into their ways cuz they were never really that in to Tri's.

 Extremely good point Hazelmn.  Every person is different and I think most of the people here reading these boards are also extremely competitive.  This is my first season in triathlons, but my competitive nature from other sports has carried me to the point where I not only plan on finishing my races, but I want to place in my age group...  goals are always important, but I also think that one must continue to  "up the anti" to keep from getting bored. 

Motivation is only as easy as the person you're trying to motivate. Take a 300lb man and ask him to start working out because he is overweight and you may get a chuckle out of him.  Tell that same man that if he doesn't work out he will be dead by the age of 50 and you're more than likely to get a fairly eager and positive response.

Goals are important, but will only be effective if they come from within.  Your patients won't have much invested in goals you give them, but will invest far more into goals they develop for themselves (maybe with a little nudging from a kind doctor). 

The second point to make with your patients is there are no "Small goals" (only small steps towards achieving goals).  "Small goals" can be easily dismissed and there is very little emotional attachment to not attaining (or conversely, attaining) them.  That really makes them "non-goals."  Any goal is an important goal that needs to be nurtured and protected from defeatist attitudes and rationalizations. 

Absolutely setting goals is benefitial, if not you are just going to the gym, etc for the sake of doing it and trying to lose weight.  I personally hate to use the work "Workout", I say train.  Saying workout makes it seem like I am going to work and should be paid for it.  But training or going for a bike ride is fun IMO.  So people who say workout is definately a pet peeve.

Pet Peeve #2 is people who try to loose #'s and not BF%.  I will hear girls that weight 110lbs and are 5'5" say they want to lose 5lbs, "for what?".  Their response, I just want to.  When ever someone asks me about training and losing weight I tell them to get a bf% reading done and stay away from the scale except when they get the bf% done so they can compare how much fat they lost, not weight they lost.

Short answer: YES. 

Long Answer: Triathlon has been an absolute revalation for me to get back in shape and get healthier.  The 3 sports breaks up the monotony of pounding the pavement or the goofy machines/ classes at the gym.  After playing competitive sports through college (football) and a few years after (rugby), I fell into the typical netherworld of work/marriage/kids/no exercise = fat ex-jock.  Adding a bit of "competition" and a rigerious exercise regime (for which I am not constructed to excel in) has driven me more than any typical MD scare tactics.  Everyone is different, but for me the competitive nature of sport, developing and executing a plan and trying to change my body into something useful for endurance sports (as opposed to running over O-linemen) has helped me. Now if someone could only come up with a plan that would stop me from being hungry 24-7, I could really make some progress.  I personally believe your thinking will benefit your patients and help them achieve better health.  However, like everything, no one plan works for eveyone.  Great thread, thanks.

 "I found that it was helpful for me to tell others so that I couldnt back out without embarassment!!!They also would ask me about my training and were very encouraging."  May 

 This is what really helped me. I have set a lot of goals but never told anyone, so if i failed who knew?  I feel like if I don't go through with this I will not be true to my word.  Which I take great pride in.  There also has been a pot started on if I can finish.  It started 35 lbs ago.  So at least one goal is met.

Big time helpful - to the point where I'm looking for a race to do in October/November just to keep motivated before winter really sets in.

Wife might give me a green-light to do the Hi-fi Tri in Galveston.....if I ask nicely.  :D