Setting SMART Goals

Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Contributed by Fit4D Director of Wellness
Laurie J. Anderson, MSN, RNP, CDOE

When the New Year arrives many of us are making choices about how we'd like to change our lives, including goals related to improving our health. Many individuals will set themselves up to be unsuccessful when they make New Year's resolutions because they are not familiar with how to set goals that will encourage success.

This article will provide the reader with basic information about successful goal setting, but if you need assistance, the coaches at Fit4D are experts at helping individuals set goals that will help them improve their health, quality of life, and well being.

Successful goal setting starts with "SMART" goals; this refers to goals that are: 

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant/Realistic, and
• Timed

Specific goals are those that are defined enough that you know what you are working towards. For example, rather than setting a goal like "I am going to lose weight," one is better off setting a goal that states exactly how much weight you want to lose. For example, this would be "I am going to lose 20 pounds." Now you have a goal in which there is no question about what you want to achieve, and it also moves you toward having a goal that is measurable.

Be sure that you don't set yourself up for failure by setting a goal that you can't reach. The assistance of a coach or health professional such as a registered dietitian can be very helpful in defining your goals.

Finally, your goals need a time frame to help you to decide if you are on staying on track, but it should not make you overly anxious about whether or not you're meeting your time frame. If your chosen goal is losing 25 pounds over a six month period (25 pounds in 26 weeks or about a pound a week), you have set a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, relevant, and timed.

It is also important that the time frame that you chose to start your goal isn't set too far away from the current time, or you can lose interest in your plan before you even get started.

This overview of goal setting should help you to create goals for your New Year's resolutions that are S.M.A.R.T and stress-free.

For customized directions, specific to your goals and steps to get you there, schedule a call with a Fit4D Coach, or sign up Fit4D Weight Loss Guidance Personalized Diabetes Coaching today!