Whether you want to eat better, exercise more, stop smoking, or any other healthy lifestyle change, there are many scientifically proven methods and techniques that can help you reach your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One method I highly recommend is using S.M.A.R.T. goals. Many people fail in their lifestyle change efforts because their goals were not SMART enough. So what\u2019s a SMART goal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
S<\/strong>pecific: \u201ceating better\u201d or \u201cdo more excercise\u201d is too vague\u2026 an example of a specific goal would be \u201cdo 30 minutes of walking per day for the next 2 weeks\u201d Visit our website to check out more\u00a0tips on how to increase motivation for healthy lifestyle changes and maintain your resolutions<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo credit: Amodiovalerio Verde<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M<\/strong>easurable: You need to be able to take note of the times you undertake the behavior \u2013 so write it down! For example, keep a journal, or take notes on your smartphone.
A<\/strong>ttractive: If you are not motivated to do it, if you don\u2019t feel like doing it, it just won\u2019t happen. So write down a list of all the advantages of the change you\u2019re undertaking, and all the disadvantages of the not undertaking the change.
R<\/strong>ealistic: If you plan on changing too fast or to much, it will hamper your odds of success. So ask yourself \u201cIs this a realistic goal?\u201d If it isn\u2019t, then tweak it.
T<\/strong>ime delimited: Telling yourself you will do this new behavior \u201cfor the rest of your life\u201d is very stressful\u2026 how about telling yourself \u201cI\u2019ll do this for the next 7 days\u201d? By fixing a smaller time frame, you\u2019re better able to achieve the goal, which leads to more experience in undertaking this new healthy behavior. Once the time period is up, you simply \u201crenew your contract with yourself\u201d for another week. You then keep on renewing over and over again until the new behavior becomes a permanent habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n