How do you decide what to set your goal at?

[jarmenia]

I started with the default goal of 10k steps.  I found if I can generally get 10k steps without having to do too much extra.  If I go to the gym in the morning,and then walk for 45 min at lunch, I can usually easily break the 15k mark.  To me, the 15k mark seems like what I should shoot for since I can accomplish it if I "do the things I'm supposed to do".  Others I know set their goal as low as 7k because that's what they get without any extra effort and anything more is a bonus.

What are your thoughts?

[fitmissjen]

Hi @jarmenia, Welcome to the community 🙂

I started off with the 10k default goal and have gradually increased over the last year. My goal is now 15K and i pretty much nail it every day.

I think your goal needs to be achievable, otherwise you can get discouraged.

I will be looking to increase mine by, lets say, an extra 1k-2k over the next month as i have noticed that as i am currently training for a half marathon, that 6 out of 7 days per week i am pretty much at the 18k mark.

[EdsonFitbit]

I've been trying to increase my goal lately but since I don't reach it that often (3-4 times per week) I'm still working with the 10k default. Most of the time I reach it when I go to the gym. This is actually one of my targets for this year. 

[WendyB]

I reset mine when I can continually make it all the time.

If you make 15K I would set it there.

Mine is set at 15K as I can make it daily. It also pushes me to make my goal when Im low. If I start going higher and make it all the time I will reset it again.

I also think its a personal thing. Many keep it at 10K when they always go over. Thats thier choice.

[emili]

If 10K is too easy then your definitely want to increase it- if that is your primary focus. If its too easy, it may encourage you to slack off instead of move more. Same is true for making it so high that you discourage yourself. Maybe set it at 12 for a week and see how you do - how you feel. if that seems to easy up it to the 15. whatever you decide- keep stepping!

[Stephen1227]

Hi jarmenla, and welcome!  To thine own self be true. I would set your goal for steps at a level that is right for you--not easy, but not uncomfortable.  Build up slowly, and see how you feel, and what your schedule allows for. 

I believe if a goal is reached every day, it isn't all that rewarding.  On the other hand, if it is reached once a week or so, then that can be discouraging.  The nice thing is your goal can easily be changed in settings as often as you like while you experiment and find what's best for you.  And, perhaps 16K is best for you right now.  6 months from now, you may find 20K is best.  Best wishes and keep stepping! 

[jarmenia]

So I decided to set my goal back to 10k.  I looked at the days last week were I didn't make it to the gym or get to go for my walk at lunch (due to weather and work commitments). Of those days I was only around 8k.  If I hit my 10k goal every day for a month, I'll probably move bump it up a bit.

[EdsonFitbit]

@jarmenia Yeah, those are my plans too. Good luck reaching your goals. 

[Deksam]

Definitely set it at whats right for you.  I have mine set as the default 10k, and I generally hit it everyday, but I have a desk job and have to walk pretty often during the day to make it to around 5 - 6 k by the time I get home and then more time on the treadmill.

My girlfriend has a very active job and hits 11K steps before she even leaves for the day, so when she challenges me to a showdown, its much tougher for me to keep up and put in the work.  I also lift weights and do other exercises too.  I think if you find that your main goal is to just increase your steps so you can ease into cardio, then definitely do that and increase your goal.  If you find that you have other workouts to do, I wouldn't push the limit much right now. 

[Maura-CA]

I have been at 10K for a long time - as far as the goal I set.  But I have set that as the minimum I want and so on busier days, I really strive for just that.  On days where I have more free time, I try to get 12-15K and I feel great when I accomplish that.   But I wouldn't want to set myself up for disappointment if I set my goal too high and couldn't ever achieve it. 

It's nice that we can change it up when we want to.  Happy stepping!