If you have a healthy goal you want to achieve, chances are you need to change your behavior to meet that goal. Start by setting reasonable and specific goals. The acronym SMART is the key to a behavior metamorphosis.
SPECIFIC - Choose a goal that is specific, such as choosing to eat breakfast everyday or limit sugar drinks for healthy eating.
MEASURABLE - Determine a way to measure progress. If your goal is to tone and build muscle, you could establish criteria based on number of reps you can perform or a strength test.
ATTAINABLE - The goal must be capable of being accomplished. A person can’t go from a beginner’s fitness level to a marathon runner in a few weeks.
REALISTIC - Be willing and able to work towards your goal. Evaluate your current lifestyle and commitments. Keep your expectations reasonable. If your goal is to start walking every day after work, will you be able to make arrangements in your daily responsibilities to make that happen?
TIMELY - A time frame creates a sense of urgency. Set your realistic goal grounded within a time frame that makes sense.
Three Key Elements of Change:
- READINESS TO CHANGE - Do you have the resources and knowledge to make a lasting change?
- BARRIERS TO CHANGE - Is there anything preventing you from changing?
- EXPECT TO CHANGE - What might trigger a return to a former behavior?