Make Your New Year's Resolutions Happen with SMART Goals

Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Happen with SMART Goals

12/14/2016

Every December and several times throughout the year, Mark decides that he will lose weight. It usually comes after he has been to the doctor and both the doctor and he notice that the scale shows he is heavier. He knows about diet and exercise, but isn’t really sure what is best for him. His resolution? Lose weight.

Sandy wants to eat well. She knows she should be eating regularly and not just bits here and there. She wants to eat fruits and vegetables, but the task seems overwhelming. Her resolution? Eat healthy food.

Giana just doesn’t feel well. She is tired of being tired and run down and she is sure that if she changed some things in her life she would feel better, but she isn’t really sure what to change or how to do it. Her resolution for this year? Be more healthy.

Rob is stressed at work. There is a lot to deal with because of his boss. Home is stressful, too, because of the kid’s busy schedules and managing things at home between his full time job and his wife’s full time job. He wants to live less stressed, but isn’t sure what to change. He doesn’t want to end up drinking too much like he used to. His resolution? Live less stressed.

Each of these resolutions is commendable. Each person has pinpointed what needs to change in their lives. The trouble comes in knowing exactly how to meet these goals.

Each resolution will fail unless the person creates a plan. Not just any plan, but a SMART plan.

That’s where a health coach comes in. A health coach can help you make a SMART plan for your health and wellness related goals.

A SMART plan has five different aspects:

Specific- There has to be a narrow focus so there can be intense focus on the real issue at hand. To eat healthy is not specific enough. But to eat at least one serving of a leafy green vegetable every day and to drink the recommended adequate intake of water each day (13 cups per day for men; 9 cups for women; recommended by The Institute of Medicine) gives clear instructions on what to actually do in order to be healthy.
Measurable- The steps created in a SMART plan will have some way for you to measure whether or not you have accomplished the goal. To lose weight is not measurable. But to say you want to lose 20 pounds is measurable.
Attainable- A goal needs to be what you are willing and able to work towards. If you want to be less stressed, but stubbornly refuse to quit anything in your schedule, you will not be able to achieve the goal.
Realistic- If you are currently inactive and 100 pounds overweight, it is not attainable to have a goal of running three marathons this year. This is setting yourself up to be defeated before you even begin. At the same time, the goal cannot be so easy that there is no effort required.
Timely- There needs to be a deadline for your goal. When there is no deadline, there is no pressure or urgency to complete the goal.

What resolutions are you thinking of for the New Year?

How will you break down those resolutions into SMART goals?

Ask your family or friends to help you word the goals and write them down so that you have a visual reminder. Typing them and printing them out is even better since it looks authoritative.

If your goals are more complex or you don’t have support for your goals, Dr. Mehri is here to help you formulate your SMART goals so they can be achieved.

A health coach not only helps you formulate the plans, but also holds you accountable while you are working to achieve the goals and helps tweak the plan if need be.

If your health related goals are complicated because of your medical issues, Dr, Mehri is the health coach you need. Because she is also a medical doctor, she understands the complexities of medical issues and uses scientifically-based research to inform your plan.

Contact Dr. Mehri Ulas today for your free 15 minute introductory session so you can begin the New Year with specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and timely goals.