Applying the SMART Method of Goal Setting to Achieve Your Health Resolutions

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January is a time of resolutions.  Like many people, I have included the desire to regain a good hold upon my overall health.  That means I’m watching what I eat, getting exercise daily, and making sure I have other habits that support my health. I thought I’d share how SMART goal setting can help you achieve your health resolutions this year. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.

SMART Goal Setting ~ Specific

Picking something vague will get you no where.  So, while it might sound nice to say that your goal is to live a healthier lifestyle, in the end there isn’t a way to see if you’ve managed to reach that desire.  Rather choose something you want to change.  I want to be healthier, but that can mean a lot of different things.  Maybe healthier means I exercise daily.  Or, I eliminate eating junk food 6 days a week. 

Any specific goal can have you answering the 6 W questions (who, what, where, when, which and why.)  For my healthier lifestyle goals this year I can say “I will stick to an exercise routine, working out on my own or with a partner for at least 30 minutes 6 days per week.”  Another one for me is that “I will drink water on a regular basis each day with 6 cups my minimum goal.”

SMART Goal Setting ~ Measurable

Consider how can you measure your progress towards the new goal.  If I want to exercise daily or increase my water consumption, I can track it on paper or by using an online service such as Spark People.  The same goes for eating a more balanced diet as you can track what you are eating or how often you go ‘off plan.’

SMART Goal Setting ~ Attainable

Is my goal something which I can reach, even if it is a bit of a stretch?  If I set a goal of getting a six pack knowing my cesareans would make it highly unlikely to ever get one, I will most likely give up along the way towards it. But, saying that I’ll exercise 30 minutes per day at least 5 days a week is attainable as so many different types of activity can count.

SMART Goal Setting ~ Realistic

My goal needs to be something which I am willing and able to works towards.  Just don’t shortchange yourself and set the goal too low.  It’s amazing how stretching towards something which seems almost out of reach is more motivating in the long run than something you do not need to stretch to achieve.  That being said, I’m not working towards a picture perfect 6 pack of abs for the reason mentioned above.  However, I could set a goal of being able to hold a plank for 1 minute which is something currently out of my reach.

SMART  Goal Setting ~ Timely

When setting a goal, you need a definite time frame.  Part of my overall goal towards a healthy lifestyle is to lose 20 pounds. 

Rather than just saying “I want to lose 20 pounds,” I am setting a goal “I WILL lose 20 pounds before the end of 2015.” 

This is another aspect of my goals where SparkPeople can help.  I’ve input my starting weight in my profile and losing at even half a pound most weeks would have me down 20 pounds in under 11 months time.

 

Some specific ways I am changing for the positive include reigning in my nutrition this year both for what I am eating and how much I am eating.  Along with signing up for the 30-Day Realistic Resolution Challenge with SparkPeople, Gorton’s is there to make meal planning a little easier with their Grilled and Simply Bake product lines. I have joined the challenge and am enjoying it so far.

 

 

 

We recently tried the Simply Bake Tilapia for dinner paired with Braised Spinach and Pine Nuts from the SparkPeople cookbook.   We decided that living in Alaska has spoiled us with super fresh halibut and salmon, but this was definitely an easy dinner to pull together.  I do like to keep some ready to go meals in the freezer and Gorton’s is a go to brand for me when it comes to fish.

 

You can Download a coupon to save off your purchase of Gorton’s Grilled Fillets or enter the Gorton’s Eat Smarter Sweepstakes for some awesome prizes.

 

Win a Gorton’s Realistic Resolution Challenge Package

One lucky blog reader will win a Gorton’s Realistic Resolution Challenge Package which includes:

2 full-value product coupons

A Gorton’s branded insulated tote

The SparkPeople Cookbook

The Spark Book

The SparkPeople 28 Day Boot Camp Workout DVD

 

Entries are accepted through the Gleam widget below through January 29, 2015.  US mailing addresses only.

 

What are some of YOUR health resolutions for the year?

Do you use the SMART method of goal setting to help you achieve those goals?

 

Gorton’s Realistic Resolution Challenge Package