Have you ever noticed that the New Years is one of the only acceptable times to move the goalposts? Usually accepted with a negative connotation, moving the goalposts is seen as a way to get more convenience and make things easier. But with the reflection of the year just past, the moving of the goalposts at New Years, is about creating challenge, engagement and motivation ensuring progression and development towards our goals.

When it comes to goal setting, I have rules! 

1. it has to be achievable 
2. It has to be specific
3. It has to achieve balance 
4. It cannot negatively impact my family for the betterment of myself.
5. They must include a HOW

And number 4 is the hardest, because it is about balancing the positive personal impact with the adverse negative impact on others.  Take going to the gym (in general) 

I get a positive mental outcome, I get positive physical development, but if I am in the gym every evening for hours, the impact on my family would be being absent, I would miss key moments, and I would not be taking on my share of the parenting responsibility. Therefore I choose to go in the morning before everyone has woken up. That way I am able to work towards personal goals without a discernible negative impact on the ones that I love.

The specificity has been an area that I have been working on. Previous years have seen very generic goals being measured in numbers, kg lost, races ran in minutes and seconds and calories consumed monitored. Numbers aren’t good for me. So this year I wanted to ensure that with the help of my amazing trainer, my goals are specific but less numerous based. 

1. I want to create more shapely pecs by focussing in on technique (particularly when training alone) and building up weight on key exercises as my confidence grows in my form 
2. I want to increase flexibility and develop a better connection with my body. I will do this with regular stretching (after every workout where time permits) and will return to Bikram yoga/ home yoga to keep developing in this area
3. I will participate in a race this year. The commitment to a goal outside of the gym means that I get out into the fresh air regularly and see a bit of the world. This race can take any form but must challenge me in some way (this could be race type, distance, way of training etc) 
4. I want to participate in a fitness photoshoot to celebrate the journey that I have been on and to show the world that the is life after 40. I want to check in on this goal 12 weeks out, decipher what specific work is required and work towards those specific muscle goals.

I am very fortunate to have a trainer who supports me through this journey and has the knowledge and expertise to guide me through these challenges, but there are also a lot of aspects that are down to me as an individual and I relish the chance to hold myself accountable for these achievements. 

When you want to progress, changing the goalposts is necessary or you will remain in the same spot, sort of treading water! 

So there are my goals in black and white in front of you. There’s no hiding from them now! But what are your goals? I would love to hear what amazing achievements you all are going to be making in 2026 and I look forward to sharing in your successes.

TIB