• Create one other walking-related goal that you would like to accomplish by the end of the semester.

Walking is a great way to increase fitness. When setting goals of any kind it’s important to understand where point “A” is first. Access your current walking fitness level. How long can you walk? What is your intensity level, best measured by the percentage of your maximum heart rate?

Then set a SMART goal.

Specific

Measureable

Attainable

Relevant

Time Sensitive

When setting a goal it must be precise, something you can quantify, something within reach, significant to you and you must set a completion date so you know when your goal has been met. I would recommend setting a long-term goal that gets you excited. Perhaps this is to walk in a local 5k charitable event. Once the long-term goal has been established, set a few shorter, interim goals so you can celebrate progress along the way. Perhaps this is when you reach your first mile. Or walk for 30 minutes. Or walk at an intensity equal to 70% of your maximum heart rate.

And finally, reward yourself for a job well done.

Explanation:

The initial questions you have to ask yourself are:  1. What is my primary goal, weight loss, improved cardiovascular endurance, general conditioning, or all of the above?  2.  What is my current fitness level, do you exercise 0 times per week, 1-2, 3-4, or 5+?  3.  How much time to you have to devote to exercise, 15-20 minute spurts, 30-45 minutes, 60+ minutes?  After answering those questions you can then set a realistic goal.  To give an example, if you exercise 3-4 times per week and are able to devote 30-45 minutes of walking then you can feasibly push to complete 2-3 miles of which should allow time for a pre/post stretch.   All of this would be completed at a comfortable pace of walking a mile in 15:00 minutes or less.  Be sure to answer the initial questions and proceed from there.  Lastly, another way to figure out how to set a realistic goal would be to purchase a pedometer and go out for a walk, 2,000 steps is approximately 1-mile.