New Year's Resolutions

Whatever your resolution may be, it is important to set goals to get to your ultimate goal: the new year's resolution(s).  Make your goals S.M.A.R.T. goals.  You are more likely to achieve them if they follow the S.M.A.R.T. criteria.  See the information below to help you create S.M.A.R.T. goals.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

SPECIFIC

Ask Yourself:                                   

·        WHAT are you going to do?

·        HOW are you going to do it?

·        WHY is this important to you?

MEASURABLE

Ask Yourself:

·        HOW will the goal be measured?

·        HOW will you know when it is accomplished?

ACHIEVABLE

Ask Yourself:

·        Is this goal something that is possible for you to accomplish in the time frame you have set?

·        Does this goal challenge you in some way?

RELEVANT

Ask Yourself:

·        Is this goal important to you?

·        Have you set this goal for personal reasons?

TIMELY

Ask Yourself:

·        Does this goal have starting and ending point?

·        Did you leave yourself enough time? Did you leave yourself too much time?

Still confused?  Below is an example of a generic goal that is made into a S.M.A.R.T goal:

Generic Goal Example:

·       I am going increase my physical activity.

S.M.A.R.T.  Goal Example:

·       I will run for 45 minutes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the next 3 months to improve my mile time to 8 minutes/mile because I want to run my next 5k in under 35 minutes.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2015,

Sarah

Written by:  Sarah Drake, MS, RD, LD - Registered Dietitian - SFA Dining