Setting Goals To Build Muscle

Setting Goals to Build Muscle

There is simply no way to overstress the importance of goal setting when you want to build muscle mass. Denis Watley, an American author, has said, "The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them."

The fact is that you will not achieve your ultimate (final) muscle mass-building goal unless you make a plan and set achievable goals that will help you reach your destination. Your final goal is too far away to be obtainable. The only way you can reach that final goal is by setting small and achievable goals that will lead you to your final goal.

Here's the way you do that:

1. Final Goals List: Get a piece of paper and pencil and write down your ultimate bodybuilding goals. Be specific. Write down your goal weight, waist measurement, arm measurement, etc. Be realistic. Think of this final goals list as a destination as though you were going on a road trip. You are in New York and you want to be in California. You're going to walk.

2. Short-Term Goals List: Now plan your trip. You can't just get from where you are to where you want to be all in one fell swoop. You must get there one small step at a time. Remember that success does breed success. When you successfully accomplish meeting a short-term goal, the success will inspire you to keep going to meet your next short-term goal.

Your short-term goals should be the weight, waist measurement, arm measurement, etc. that you expect to achieve in one month.

3. Each month, make a new short-term goals list, and as you make progress each month, you will be getting closer and closer to achieving your final goal.

BONUS : Setting Your Bodybuilding Goals

If you ask any bodybuilder that you know, they will most likely tell you that they have written goals. If you want to be a bodybuilder, you will find that you also need written goals. In fact, bodybuilders write a lot of things down.

First, let's cover what you need to write down. Get a journal. Write down your starting measurements. You should write down your weight and your percentage of body fat as well. Make sure that you measure your chest, waist, thighs, calves, upper arms, forearms, and neck.

As time goes on, you should keep track of the food and supplements that you consume. Also keep track of your workouts what exercises you did, how many sets and reps, and how long you did each exercise for, as well as the length of your total workout. Keep up with the fluids that you are drinking as well. All of this information is going to matter to you later on, so make a real effort to keep up with it.

Now, set your goals. Saying that you want to get ripped isn't enough. Saying that you want to reduce body fat isn't enough, either. Your goals need to be specifically stated, and attainable. For example, instead of saying you want a six-pack, write down a measurement that you want to reach for your chest. Write down how much body fat you want to lose, or how much muscle weight you want to gain. Again, be very specific. You can't reach a goal if you don't know what the goal is.

Once you know what your bodybuilding goals are, discuss them with your personal trainer and nutritionist. Create a plan for reaching those goals, and if possible, set a time frame for reaching the goal as well. This gives you something to do, and a date to look forward to for motivation.

Remember that successful bodybuilders set goals, and use a plan of action to reach those goals. They also use the other information that they have written down to adjust the plan as needed and to see what is working, and what isn't.