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    Setting Achievable New Year's Resolutions

    Setting Achievable New Year's Resolutions

    By

    Updated

    5 minute read

    Unfortunately, many people fail to achieve their goals simply because the goals are not well defined. For example, a vague goal might include ‘eating better’ or ‘losing weight’. But, what does that mean? What does eating better look like? How much weight do you want to lose? Let’s look at some key elements of a well-defined goal. 
    • Specific: The goal identifies a specific action or event that will take place
    • Measurable: The description of the goal will allow you to track your progress toward completion
    • Attainable: The goal should be achievable given available resources
    • Realistic: The goal should be challenging, but allow for success based on your skills and time available
    • Timely: The goal should state the specific time period in which it will be accomplished

    *Use the SMART acronym to help you remember the key elements of creating well-defined goals.

    Since nutrition is my area of expertise, let’s practice using the SMART acronym by turning vague nutrition-related goals into well-defined goals.  Below each goal, I will provide ideas of how to achieve them.

    Eat more fruits and vegetables:
    • Eat one fruit and vegetable with every meal for 1 month
      • Keep chopped up fruits and vegetables in the fridge
      • Add vegetables to sandwiches/pizza/eggs
      • Choose hummus and vegetables or an apple and nut butter as a snack vs. chips and dip
      • Add spinach to your fruit smoothies
    Eat less fast food:
    • Limit eating out to 2 times per week for 3 months
      • Make a meal plan for each week and prepare the meals ahead of time
      • Keep food at your workplace just in case you forget to bring lunch or snacks
    Eat more healthful snacks:
    • Eat one fruit and vegetable with every meal for 1 month (same as that listed for #1)
      • Same ideas as listed for #1
    • Include a protein and carbohydrate source in every snack for 3 months
      • Snack ideas
        • String cheese with whole grain crackers
        • Piece of fruit (e.g. banana, apple) with nut butter
        • Low-fat yogurt with berries
    Avoid mindless eating:
    • Eat meals and snacks away from distractions (i.e. TV, computer) for 1 month
      • At home, sit down and eat your food at the dinner table
      • At work, eat away from your desk or office (e.g. cafeteria or other designated eating space)

    A few other things to keep in mind when trying to achieve your New Year’s resolutions are to take it slow and be prepared for lapses. Only attempt to achieve 1-2 goals at a time. Once the behavior has become a habit, try adding a few more goals to your list. 

    Remember: the overall goal is to make permanent changes which will take time to implement. Also, falling back to old behaviors is a normal part of the process and is not a reason to get discouraged.  Every day is a new day and with it comes a chance to start over.