• Specific

Make your goals as specific as possible for more effective planning. Don’t set vague goals such as “I want to lose weight”, or” I want to workout”. How many pounds do you want to lose? How many days do you want to workout?

Instead, write down exactly what you want to accomplish. Try these: “I want to lose 20 pounds”, or “I want to work out 3 days a week”.

• Measurable

You have to be able to measure your progress for effective planning. If your goal is to lose 20 pounds in 20 weeks, then you should be able to measure your progress weekly. An example of this is by attempting to lose 1 pound a week for the next 20 weeks.

• Attainable

Your goal should be attainable, and they have to be reasonable to accomplish. Setting goals you can’t actually reach can actually set you up for failure by discouraging you when you aren’t able to achieve them; not because you’re not capable, but because your goal is simply not accomplishable.

• Relevant

Setting goals are important if you want to grow healthier, but don’t start making them for the sake of it. You should be setting relevant goals that will get you closer to your long-term goals. Make sure these goals actually mean something to you. If they have no meaning, you will lose motivation and focus.

• Time

Your goals need a deadline. This not only makes your goals specific and measurable, but it also guides you to whether or not you will achieve your goal in a reasonable amount of time. If you want to lose 20 pounds, that goal could mean that you want to lose 20 pounds in 6 months, or 6 years.

Make your goals as Here’s an example of a non-smart goal: Lose weight.

Here’s an example of a SMART goal: Lose 20 pounds by June 20th.

• Specific: Lose 20 pounds

• Measurable: weigh in every Monday before breakfast

• Attainable: 1 pound a week is reasonable

• Relevant: health is a priority

• Time: June 20th

Setting goals is important if you want to stay, or get healthy. It will help you focus your time and energy on what’s most important. And knowing what you’ll be achieving will give you some added incentive to keep going.

Millions of people make resolutions to get more active each year, and each and every year, they seem to come up short. But this year, you have the tools and resources to succeed. There’s no better time than right now to begin setting SMART goals to improve your overall health.