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Setting SMART Goals in 2020

The majority of New Year’s resolutions set at the beginning of the year fail to come to fruition. This is because most goals set are either too vague or not thought through. I always say that changing our behavior is extremely hard to do. The problem with setting these New Year’s resolutions is that most of us do not develop a specific and measurable roadmap to help us achieve our goals.

Most New Year’s resolutions include a goal for weight loss, hence the constant January advertisements on TV for diets and gym memberships. However, natural and safe weight loss is a slow process and doesn’t happen overnight. By the end of January, most people are frustrated that they only lost 2 pounds and give up. What is more important are the changes made to improve health that caused them to lose those 2 pounds in the first place.

When I work with clients, I help them come up with SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic and Timely. One example of a SMART goal is “I will pick 3 dinners over the next week to fill half of my plate with vegetables”. Notice how this goal is specific, gives a timeline, is achievable and realistic. This also helps implement small changes to start increasing the amount of vegetables consumed to eat more balanced meals.

Setting these small goals help clients take incremental steps towards improving their health to reach the overall goal of weight loss. Also, instead of using weight as the marker for success, I prefer to use health-based outcomes such as improved energy or lab results or reduced joint pain. These are better indicators of improving health, because the number on the scale does not speak to your health, it is just a number.

If you would like help achieving your wellness goals, please contact the front desk to meet with me or any of the other providers at The Wellness Studio. We’re currently offering discounted services, so call us soon!

By Annie Rubin, MS, RDN