5 Things to Keep in Mind When Setting Health Goals

Setting goals is the first step to take when trying to achieve a healthier lifestyle. However, setting goals can also be discouraging if they are not achieved. More times than not we set a goal, work towards it on/off and then give up when we don’t see the results we want. Here are some things to keep in mind when setting your health goals to help you stay motivated and encouraged:

1. Rome wasn’t built in a day. It is important for your goals to be realistic. By realistic I am primarily referring to the time frame in which you would like to achieve the goal. For example, if your goal is to lose 150 lbs., this is absolutely obtainable and do not let anyone tell you different; but you cannot expect to lose 150 lbs. in 4 months. Make sure you are giving yourself enough time to obtain your goal in a healthy and safe manner.
2. Don’t compare yourself to others. The beauty of mankind is our ability to be unique. You should not be setting goals to compete with someone else or basing what you want to achieve based on someone else. The biggest mistake we make as women is comparing ourselves to celebrities. You should set your health and wellness goals based solely on you and don’t compare your progress with anyone else. We are all individuals and therefore our bodies react and perform differently.
3. Don’t do too much. While I strongly believe in jumping in with 2 feet, sometimes this can be detrimental in regards to health goals. If you try to change everything about your current life, it can be overwhelming and lead to giving up. Based off of experience, you may be more successful by making multiple small changes throughout time rather than one huge change.
4. Put it in writing. If you have a goal you want to achieve, write it down – make a list. If you’re a millennial share this list on social media or if you’re not, share this list with a friend or family member. Sharing your goals increases your accountability because you’ll have other people looking forward to seeing you achieve your goals.
5. No fads or trends. Many people never achieve their health and wellness goals long term because they are chasing fads. That shiny new diet that makes you lose 11 lbs. in one week, or the new dance cardio tape that guarantees weight loss in 21 days is not always the best choice. You need goals that are lifestyle changes, because healthy is not a destination but a way of life.