What is goal setting, and why is it important to you?
A goal is something that we would like to achieve. Setting ourselves goals can help us to be specific about what we want to achieve. Goal setting can also help us to identify what we may need to stop, start or do differently.
SMART goals
To help make our goals more realistic and achievable, it’s important to make them SMART. To make a goal SMART, it must be:
- Specific – Make your goal as specific as possible
- Measurable – Identify a way to measure your progress whilst working towards your goal
- Achievable – Your goal should be just out of reach, but not out of sight
- Relevant – Think about your values
- Time-bound – Set a time by which you would like to achieve your goal
Short, medium, and long-term goals
You may have struggled with your weight previously or find your motivation gets in the way of achieving weight loss. Think about how goal setting can help you deal with your challenges. Setting a goal could help you to adjust your eating habits or get better sleep. Small changes over time can help you gain more energy, more confidence, and feel more ‘you’. Rember your goals could include identifying and getting the support you need to help you on your weight loss journey to start with.
A good first goal for you may be identifying and getting the right mental health support at this time, which can help you on your long-term healthy weight journey.
Once you’ve made your long-term goal SMART, break this down into achievably short-term goals. For example, if your long-term SMART goal is to avoid less healthier choices when stressed, short-term goals may be (a) record what you eat and how you’re feeling (b) explore alternative ways to help you when times are stressful and (c) understand what triggers your feelings of stress.
Not sure where to start?
You might have lost weight a number of times before and may know a lot about eating but feel unsure of the best way to start again. So it might help to try to set goals that fit your current lifestyle as this can give you the best chance of success.
It’s easy to develop a habit of reaching for a certain food in certain situations or you may eat for a quick fix to lift your mood. Goal setting may help you to take control of your eating patterns and physical activity levels.
Setbacks and celebrations
When setting your goals, it’s important to think about the challenges and barriers that might get in your way. This can help you to think of ways to overcome them.
For example, if you’re feeling tired, how you could respond differently to your feelings? You may try an activity with a friend to motivate each other.
If you experience a setback, don’t be put off! Goal setting is a skill that takes time.
Remember to be kind to yourself!
By making your goals measurable, you’ll know when you’ve reached your goal.
Setting yourself SMART goals may help change the response to your feelings and help you achieve your goal.
Continue your journey
Click on the next page Getting the support you need to continue your journey.
