Can you believe 2017 has already come to its halfway point? Let’s take a minute to reflect back to the goals you made in beginning of the year.
Every January, most of us have a ritual of setting goals for the year. Whether you want to eat healthier, exercise more, save money, stop smoking or cut back on drinking-we all try to better ourselves for the year to come. Now that 2017 has come to its halfway point, let’s reassess our goals!
First are foremost, write down your goals if you haven’t already. Next, think about if you have made any changes to reach these goals? If you have, that’s great! If you haven’t, don’t sweat it, there are still 6 months left in the year to start making some changes.
Now let’s discuss how to set goals. Don’t forget, when setting goals it’s important to make sure they are SMART …
Specific: Be very specific when setting a goal. “On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I will go for a 30 minute walk at 6pm.” Write it on your calendar and act like it’s an appointment.
Measurable: Set a goal that is measurable. “This week I will get 10,000 steps every day, therefore, I will try to hit at least 3,000 steps on my walks.”
Achievable: How can you accomplish this goal? “I will bring my walking shoes/clothes with me so I don’t have to stop home first.”
Realistic: Be realistic! If you haven’t been exercising regularly, don’t make a goal of exercising daily. Start with two days a week and increase the frequency from there.
Time: Do you find it easier to reach your goals when you have a deadline? Set one!
Are you feeling overwhelmed? That’s not uncommon, just start with small steps. Making little changes do add up over time! Start with making one goal for this week and branch off from there. Especially if you have goals regarding diet and exercise, start with one component first. For example, I will go for a walk after work on Monday and Wednesday for 30 minutes. Then, the following week add Friday. Before you know it, it’ll be such a normal part of your daily routine.
Remember, it’s also important to do things that you enjoy to do. If you have aches and pains that stop you from walking, try swimming! If you are not a “gym person,” go do something outside with a friend. Having a workout buddy is one of the best ways to hold you accountable. There are so many options out there to keep exercise exciting. If you are doing something you do not enjoy to do, you are less likely to keep up with that habit in the future. So, get out there and find what works best for you! But remember, it all starts with a goal!
