Are you thinking about a New Year’s Resolution to improve your health? Instead, try making SMART goals, an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. SMART goals can set you up for success by helping you give direction and guidance in goal setting and measuring your progress, leading to better results for lasting change. Beginning a healthy lifestyle change can seem overwhelming, but creating realistic and attainable SMART goals provides the necessary framework to achieve your goals.
How do you begin? Make sure the goal intended is meaningful to you. What matters to you? What is your wellness vison? I feel my best when…
Next, let us break down your wellness vison in a SMART goal. For example, the physical activity guidelines are a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise and 2 days of strengthening exercises per week.
Here is an example of a SMART goal to begin to increase your physical activity:
Specific: I want to walk 30 minutes a day in the morning, either outside or in my house, weather dependent 5-7 days a week. I also want to start strengthening exercises using an online exercise program for beginners: one day for upper body and one day for lower body exercises.
Measurable: I will wear a FitBit when I walk to measure my steps and time walking. I will use an exercise log to write down my exercises.
Achievable: I will walk with my spouse for support and plan on my calendar time for exercise.
Relevant: This walking goal is important for me to help lose weight and improve my endurance. Also, when I exercise, I feel better and have more energy.
Time-bound: I will start walking at least 15-20 minutes a day for 3 days; strengthening exercises 1 x week in 4 weeks; 30 minutes for 5-7days and 2 days of strengthening in 8 weeks.
Remember to make your goal SMARTER by making it exciting and reward yourself! After 8 weeks, I will reward myself by walking on the beach for vacation.
You can fill out a free health profile too!
