Let me look at my check list. Regular participant on Traineo [Check], positive changes in attitudes toward training [Check], conscience of what I am feed my body [Check], reasonable fitness goals [hmmmm].

Being as I am starting fresh I am wondering if these are reasonable goals.

Within a years time:
- Bench my body weight
- Squat twice my body weight
- Run a 5k without stopping (not jog, but run)
- Touch my toes (they miss me)

Mentally these seem a lot less ambitious than previous goals ... but then again I always quit before. What are your Thoughts? Does anyone have a paradigm they use for defining their goals? What are your goals, besides the weight loss?

I realize that where your starting from is an important vector in the goal making process. I am a non-active desk jockey. I have always been strong. I just want to be stronger and healthier.

Jeremiah,

I've found that the best thing for me is to set goals that are just out of reach and to continually readjust them. I used to think that this was "cheating," but really, is it cheating to give yourself points for steady progress?

Working from your weight loss goals and assuming you meet them (you will!), you want to bench 245 lbs and squat 490 lbs. Those may both be doable, but they are certainly aspirational. Why set your initial goals so high?

Why not set lower and more easily attainable intermediate goals that you can readjust upwards as you meet with success? That way, you'll be getting positive reinforcement continuously, rather than waiting a year for it.

Also, you might consider setting some fitness goals independent of the #s, such as: "working out x days a week for at least y minutes over z period of time." Sounds like you are already doing some of that, but it's always nice to have some wins to chalk up early on even if the #s take longer to fall in place than you might like!

@ Ron

I am working out the particulars and experimenting a little to see what works best in terms of frequency, duration and intensity.

I agree that having short term goals is very important. I like to call those "carrots". My carrots are as follows:
- 1 month of steady workouts = Nike+ kit for my Nano
- 2 months of steady workouts = New Spartan Kilt

I am more concerned about consistency at this point than I am about major gains (or losses - talking about the belly). I am fairly certain that if I can establish the consistency, the results will come. Looking at your numbers the bench "seems" low and the squat seems high. But I have always had a strong bench because I enjoyed it. Versus loathing squats. I know that squats are essential to my overall development. Just don't enjoy them is all.