It may sound cliché, but this truth will always remain: health is wealth. We all have different perspectives when it comes to health goals. Most of us take care of our health to live a long life. Some simply want to manage their weight or stress levels better. Others desire to have high levels of energy or be free from pain or illnesses. No matter what result you’re trying to accomplish, the first step to achieving your health dreams is establishing some specific goals.
What should be your priority when setting health goals?
When setting health goals, the most important thing to do is to consult your doctor first. You should have an idea about your current health situation before you proceed to develop your game plan. Your doctor can help you with a physical assessment of your general health. They may even refer you to an expert nutritionist/dietitian or other health professional to help you fulfil your goals, whether it be losing weight or quitting smoking.
Using the SMART goals health approach
SMART goals in your health plan pertain to Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. Following this approach ensures that you have set your goals clearly. It also serves as a guide that motivates you more and leads to better results.
Specific
Be clear about the objective you want to meet. You should be able to answer what your health and fitness goals are, how you plan to accomplish them, and why are you doing them in the first place. Being specific helps you determine a method that can achieve that particular outcome you want.
Measurable
Keeping track of your progress is an important part of the journey. In this way, you will have an idea of whether or not there’s a development on what you’re trying to accomplish. If there are no changes yet, you can review your notes and make necessary adjustments toward meeting your objectives. On the other hand, the sight of even the smallest successful results will make you feel good and work harder to achieve more.
Achievable
Make sure that what you’re trying to accomplish is within your current ability. Set your health goals wisely. It also helps to have all the necessary tools, information, and resources before working on your plans.
Realistic
While there is nothing wrong with being ambitious, you must also remember that your game plan shouldn’t be something impossible to do. You must be willing and able to work to accomplish them. You’re the only one who can answer whether your plan is realistic or not. It all depends on your capabilities. Realistic goals will prevent you from having setbacks and false starts.
Timely
Set a target date for when you want to achieve your health & fitness goals. Give yourself enough time to accomplish them. Without a time frame, there’s a tendency to not push through with your plans or eventually just fail at it.
Tips for reaching your health and fitness goals
Here are some helpful tips that can make you successful in your health and fitness journey.
1. Be simple
The number of current diet trends and fitness crazes can be overwhelming. Don’t jump from one trend to another. Changing your routine constantly will just delay your efforts. Focus on one plan and stick to it until you see results. Consistency is key.
2. Get quality sleep
Although it’s tempting to work out a lot, please do not set aside sleeping time. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep is valuable for your health and fitness goals, most especially if you are trying to lose weight. Adequate sleep time prevents your body and mind from burning out.
3. Make your goal a habit
Reaching a goal means incorporating changes into your life and making a habit of practising them. It only takes one month to adopt a habit. For example, if you haven’t had a regular jog before, it will be really difficult to start. Try to regularly jog for a month, and soon it will just be a natural part of your routine. The key is to be consistent in developing new habits in your life.
4. Find a supportive group
Surround yourself with people who believe in you and will support you with your health goals. Look for a community that shares the same goals you have. For instance, if you follow a plant-based diet, you may want to search for and join Facebook groups who also follow a similar diet. Being a part of a community will keep you motivated.
5. Get a health coach
While being a part of a community is helpful, there is a better and faster way to ensure you reach your goals —and that is through the direction of a health coach. Just like how accountants provide businesses with strategic ways to boost revenue, a health coach also brings a lot of benefits to you. They can guide you on how to meet your objectives. Their wide set of knowledge can be your source for all your questions or apprehensions. Moreover, with your partnership with a health coach, you’ll have someone to be accountable to.
Achieve your lifetime health goals with Nicole!
We may have different reasons as to why we set health and fitness goals, but one thing is for sure, we all want to live a healthier life. But before anything else, you must discuss your plans with your doctor. They can evaluate your current health condition and even provide helpful tips. In addition, keep your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely.
If all else fails, you can ask the help of a certified health and nutrition coach, Nicole. She is dedicated to guiding her clients to transitioning to a healthy diet. Nicole can help you determine ways on how to meet your lifetime health goals. Plus, she will make sure that you’ll gain a profound understanding of what food and lifestyle changes will work best for you and how you’ll implement them for life.
Perhaps you’ve tried to work on your health and fitness goals before but have failed. Or maybe you’re currently feeling lazy or uninspired with your journey. Nicole is here to help you get back on your feet and try again. Let her be your partner in achieving a healthier version of yourself. Visit www.nourishbynicole.com today to start a coaching program with her.