The key to being successful with any goal, but especially health goals, is to set yourself up for success from the beginning. Almost everyone has something they would like to improve when it comes to their health. Most people talk about it, and they may even try and focus on it, but life gets in the way. It is easy to stay stuck in the same routine and before we know it six months has passed with no change.
SMART goals are goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. They are built using an easy method that doubles or triples your likelihood for success.
Specific.
It’s time to nail down what it is you want to do or achieve. Most people are too vague or focus on too much at one time. For instance, if you want to eat better, you need to define what eating better means to you. More vegetables, less processed food, or less fast food? Figure out what specifically qualifies as eating better?
Measurable
Whether or not your goal is measurable, is the single most significant success defining factor. Your goal must be measurable, or you will never be able to achieve it. If you decided you wanted to eat more vegetables, how many servings per day or week do you want? How many hours will you exercise per week? Include the numbers to make it measurable.
Attainable
Do you have the resources (the time, the budget, the support, the knowledge) to be able to achieve the goal? For instance, you may not have the budget for a gym membership, but you still want to exercise three days a week. Can you join a community center or take your workouts outside? Sometimes, if the goal is not attainable, you may have to redefine your goal. Find out the reason your goal is not achievable, and make your new goal how you are going to overcome that limiting factor. Work on that first, then you can return to the original goal.
Relevant
Setting a relevant goal requires the utmost honesty with yourself. How will this goal benefit you? For example, if you want to lose weight, how will that help you? Smaller clothes and more energy are great, but how do those things help and motivate you? Energy to play with your kids or grandkids is likely a stronger and far more relevant motivator. Dig deep and honestly consider why you want to accomplish your goal.
Timely
If you want to achieve something you must give yourself a due date. By nature, humans are goal oriented procrastinators. Set a date by when you want to achieve your goal to help keep you accountable.
Using the SMART goals strategy, you will set yourself up for success to achieve any health goal. Remember, it’s important to share your goal with others so that you have accountability and track your progress, so you stay motivated!