July 14, 2007
Want To Gain Weight? Set Goals!
When you want to gain weight, you have to set realistic goals. Set short-, medium-, and long-range goals for your muscle development. Short-term goals should be easily accomplished so you can savor victory on a regular basis. Your medium- and long-range goals will give you direction and staying power, helping you to ride out the bad times. All are essential when thinking about how to gain muscle.
Successful athletes know the importance of goalsetting. Without the focus that a goal provides, the energy of the mind is scattered like sand in the wind. Goals help you persevere through the tough times because your efforts are part of a larger picture. Your temporary sacrifices are then worth it, because every day brings you closer and closer to your goal. Goalsetting can make a major difference in your muscular development. A nebulous desire is not sufficiently detailed to charge the mind with energy and willpower.
Setting Appropriate Goals To Help You Gain Weight…
It is important to set short-, medium-, and long-range goals for your exercise program. It's fine to have a long-term goal of going to the Olympics, but if you're just starting out in a sport the achievement of that goal may be so far in the future that it winds up depressing you instead of providing inspiration. While it's true that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, you need to focus on the fulfillment of each of those steps rather than spending all your time dreaming about the thrill of victory as they put that gold medal around your neck. Always keep that long-range goal in the back of your mind, however, so you can tap into it when the need arises.
To Gain Weight You Need Realistic But Challenging Goals…
Your short- and medium-range goals need to be realistic enough to help you sustain your efforts on a day-to-day basis. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Choose a goal that you have an excellent chance of achieving, say, doing one more repetition on your barbell curls. This goal is modest in the grand scheme of things, but it should be well within your grasp. Go for it and achieve it! Savor the satisfaction that comes from reaching your goal, but don't gloat on your newfound strength. Set another goal for your next workout. Aim for another repetition on each set or an increase of five to ten pounds. This will build upon your previous successes and help you reach a medium-range goal, such as winning a local competition or achieving a certain bodyweight.
If your goals are realistic, and you approach the task with determination and drive, while giving your body sound nutrition, you will reach the goals you have set. So, want to gain weight? Don't let anything get in your way! Approach this challenge as you would any other that you confront in your life. And remember to pat yourself on the back when you accomplish a short- or medium-range goal. You may not have reached your ultimate goal yet, but let yourself feel the satisfaction and pride that comes with goal achievement. These positive feelings, and the self-confidence that comes along with them, will speed you on your way to the long-term goal you have set.