Personal fitness and wellness goals come in many shapes and sizes. Take a sample of thirty fitness devotees, ask them what their top fitness training objective is & you'll get thirty varied responses. There will most likely be some similarities amongst many of those people but then again, what means 'firming up & slimming down' to one may mean something entirely different to someone else.

Regardless of the many different specific versions of personal fitness goals, we can easily put them into several broader categories that can hold the various subcategories and definitions as implied (or inferred) by any type of specific fitness 'enthusiast'.

To keep matters simple, I will list the broadest phrases that define the majority of fitness objectives as applied to 'regular' men and women.

1) Body Fat loss/Weight loss

2) Muscle 'Toning' (getting leaner)

3) Strength Building

4) Muscle Development

5) Energy Boosting/Enhancement

6) Body-Shaping/Body-Sculpting

7) Flexibility Improvement/ Range of Motion

8) Reduction in Aches & Pains (Back problems,etc)

9) Improved Self Image and Self Confidence

10) Improved Health/Medical Profile (Wellness)

11) Cellulite Reduction and Flab Tightening

There is definitely some overlap between these terms not only in definition but also in practice. But, this is a good thing - not a bad thing, at all - reason being that you can only get improvements in some of these areas if you are realizing improvements in a few of the others. Now, we are probably getting into an area of discussion more suited for fitness pros as opposed to fitness seekers but I think you are getting the idea of where I am coming from.

Optimal fitness is not defined by one parameter - but rather by at least several. In other words, having a 'hot body' does not define one as fit - but having a great body, that is flexible and capable of a moderate amount of physical performance - which is fed a well rounded, nutrient dense diet will most likely fall into the 'healthy and fit' category.

On the flip-side of this, having a body that is not defined as 'sexy' or 'hot' by societal norms does not mean that the 'owner' of that body is 'unhealthy and unfit'. Remember, fitness is not defined by whether or not you can elicit cat calls and get yourself 'checked out' by others around you. Rather, fitness is a 'full package deal'. It should answer the question: 'What are we as a whole?' when we consider all ingredients. Ultimately, it's 'how we feel about ourselves, with all elements of fitness being taken into consideration'.

So, where am I taking you with this uncommon philosophical viewpoint? Well, the actual measurement of fitness progress and success can take many forms when we talk about specifics, but when the smoke clears and its time to assess ones changes and improvements - there are several elements to measure, depending on your personal goals, that will tell a tale and provide all the feedback needed to let you know if you are on the right track or in need of fitness/nutrition program adjustments.

One of these key elements is your own intuition - you should be able to 'feel' if you are making progress or not. While there is nothing wrong with body-fat testing, weekly weigh ins, or strength testing (just to name a few)... It is more important that you start to rely on your internal feedback system. You want to learn how to get in tune with your body and your self. The better you get at this - the simpler it becomes to 'stick to your plan', to make consistent and 'measurable' progress... and to make your fitness lifestyle '2nd nature' to you.