Be SMART About Goals

Behavior change is tough. It’s uncomfortable. Staying in our comfort zones is easy and feels safer.

But, like it says on our Comfort Zone poster, the comfort zone might be a beautiful place … but nothing changes there!

Help your clients or students get off the comfy couch and on track for a healthier life by teaching them about SMART goals. Here are some ideas to get started:

  • SMART goals are Specific: keep them small and simple.
    • Eat at least one vegetable for lunch every day.
    • Meditate for one minute while your coffee is brewing.
  • SMART goals are Measurable: you can’t change what you don’t measure.
    • Keep track of your progress with an app on your phone, a calendar, or a pen-and-paper log.
  • SMART goals are Attainable: that’s why making them small and simple is such a good idea.
    • Remember, small changes add up over time!
  • SMART goals are Relevant: set goals that mean something to you.
    • Do yoga because you want to be able to play on the floor with your grandchildren.
    • Walk daily because you want to hike with your family on an upcoming vacation.
  • SMART goals are Time-Bound: decide when your goal will be completed so you can celebrate your success.
    • Eat fruit at breakfast every day for one week.
    • Take a walk after dinner three times per week for one month.

New Year’s resolutions will be here before we know it. SMART goals give your students or clients a chance to keep those resolutions for a change!

By Hollis Bass, MEd, RD, LD

Free Handout: SMART Goals

Habit Wheel Keeps on Rolling

Get the school year off to a healthy start with the Healthy Habit Wheel!

The Healthy Habit Wheel poster features four healthy habits for each category: Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Food & Drink, and Exercise. While the poster is geared to students, the habits apply to adults as well.

Here are some teaching tips to go along with the Healthy Habit Wheel:

  1. The 12 habits make perfect SMART goals. Let students decide how they will track their habits over the course of a week, a month, or a semester.
  2. The wheel concept reflects the idea that you’re never done with making healthy choices. The wheel keeps on turning!
  3. You don’t need to tackle all 12 habits at once. In fact, that would be quite overwhelming! Students can master a habit and move to another one.
  4. Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone has habits that come easy to them, and everyone has habits they need to work on.
  5. Personalize your Healthy Habit Wheel with other goals that are important to you.

Keep the Healthy Habit Wheel rolling in the right direction, culminating in good health for a lifetime!

Hollis Bass, MEd, RD, LD