According to a poll by Statista, the top 2 New Year’s Resolutions for 2018 are eating healthier and getting more exercise. Did you make a New Year’s Resolution this January? How is it going so far?

What about last year, did you make any goals? Did you accomplish what you set out to do?

If you have fallen off the wagon, or if you didn’t do what you promised yourself you would do, don’t beat yourself up. That’s very important. You are good enough, and you have enough willpower. Just make sure to plan the correct way at the beginning. When making goals, it’s very important to make sure that they are S.M.A.R.T:

You want your goals to be: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Bound. Let’s break this down.

Specific

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is weight loss. Being specific might be saying that you want to lose weight through eating better and exercising. Or maybe joining a challenge like our upcoming Stronger YOU! It’s a good start to making a goal happen, but most people stop there. By following the rest of these steps, you will find that it’s easier to make things happen. You will also build confidence in yourself and you will feel like you can accomplish anything. We’re here to tell you that you can do hard things.

Measurable

Let’s say that your goal is weight loss. Just saying that you want to lose weight is a very non-specific goal. How are you supposed to know when you reached the end? The answer is to make a very specific goal. “I want to lose 20 pounds” is specific. Another example in another area of your life is saving money, like, “I want to save $10,000 for an emergency fund.”

Attainable

Choosing a realistic goal is essential. Trying to lose 50 pounds in two weeks is unrealistic and unhealthy if you try. Know your limits and don’t expect to do everything all at once. Slow but steady progress is the best way. Attainable goals should challenge you a little but not be too big. When you pick realistic goals, you will feel in control and excited about your progress. Keep a journal or find some other way to mark your progress. You’ll be surprised how far you’ve come when you’re able to objectively compare.

Relevant

Having relevant goals looks at the why and feasibility of choosing this particular goal. Do you actually want to be a runner in order to lose weight, or is there another activity that you would find more enjoyable that would also increase your health? Do you have the money to purchase a gym membership, or do you need to save up and get some equipment at home first?

Time Bound

Goals need to have a certain limit of time attached. Just like in number 3 above, you want the time limit that you set to challenge you a little, but not be too short so that it’s impossible to accomplish in so short a time. Also, if you have a big goal that will take a long time to accomplish, break it up and give yourself milestones to accomplish in shorter periods of time. If you want to lose 50 pounds in a year, then that’s about a pound a week. Give yourself little rewards for accomplishing milestones, and then something big when you reach your big goal!