Welcome 2012 with some health goals!

A new year is starting on Sunday, a time when many of us roll out those new year’s resolutions!

It a time of reflection of the years that have passed and preparing for the process of renewing oneself for the coming year; a truly wonderful time of year when all things feel possible! Use this positive energy and optimism to create some winning goals for yourself this year. 

What makes a winning goal is to create a goal that is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely, or SMART. So grab a pen and give it a try!

Write down a general goal, perhaps… “This year I am going to lose weight”. Then think of HOW you would like to reach this goal and WHEN, perhaps… “Starting on January 1st I am going to walk for 15 minutes during lunch break two to three times every week in January.” And, “starting on January 1st I am going to turn off the TV during the dinner meal and focus on mindful eating for four to five days per week every week in January.” 

Update your goals as needed by asking yourself: What’s working? What isn’t? Keep your goals realistic with what is going on in your life that week, month, or year. Challenge yourself by upping the number of times per week/month you commit to doing the healthy habit once you have established a good routine at a lesser frequency.

Writing down your goals is a great way to mentally commit to actions and it adds a deeper level of accountability. By making your goals very specific, you can measure your success and build on that feeling of success to keep you motivated the whole year! 

Best of luck to you in the New Year!!

Written by: Anna Macnak - Registered Dietitian with Christus Weight Loss Institute