Ever notice that some people commit to a workout routine without seeing results? Setting exercise goals is a key to any workout program. Without them, you have no mark to aim for.
There are a few things you need to know about setting exercise goals and I will go over some of them below.

Set a clear target for yourself.

Do not say you want to lose weight. Say you want to lose 5 lbs by the end of the month. Make your goals clear and make sure they are achievable.

Do not shoot for the moon.

You can not walk on water, so why would you set a fitness goal that's as impossible? Goals have to be reasonable. When setting your exercise goals, make sure it's not far fetched. You cannot safely lose 20lbs in a month, so aim for something smaller like 5 lbs.
Once you lose those five pounds, set another goal of 5 lbs in another month. This way you are not discouraged by such an enormous and overwhelming task of losing 20 lbs.

Create a plan.

You would not build a building without a blueprint. The same should be said for a workout routine. Make a plan and stick to it. If you want to work out 3-4 times a week, pick which days you are going to work out and for how long. Decide which exercises you are going to perform.
When you do not have to sit down and think of what you are doing next you are more likely to get into a natural routine.

Figure out your bad habits.

Keep a journal of your exercise and diet. In order to get somewhere, you have to know where you start. Use an online journal like FitDay to pinpoint changes in diet and exercise you can make. Figuring out your bad habits now will help you avoid them down the road.

Do not be afraid to ask for help.

You just started exercising again. You are not sure how to start a work out routine or schedule.
Do not be afraid to ask a friend for help or hire a personal trainer. Personal trainers can get you on track and keep you there. They provide motivation when you need it and push your body beyond what you might normally do in your workout routine.
If you are interested in learning more about exercise goals and how they can help you achieve fitness and weight loss success, check out Empowering Your Fitness. Empowering your fitness was developed by Extreme Fitness Now with expert personal trainer Johnny Ryan to help you lose weight and keep it off.