New Year, New You: Setting and Achieving Your Health Goals
New Year's Resolutions Often Fail
Does this sound familiar? You spend the run-up to the New Year making big plans, and committing yourself to ambitious health or lifestyle goals. You're enthusiastic. You feel ready. And you are determined to make a change. And yet, once the new year actually rolls around, your good intentions turn into difficulties as the rubber hits the road.
So why do so many of our New Year's resolutions fall by the wayside? At Whole Health Partners, we're very aware that every patient's circumstances are unique. Yet we do see some common themes when patients run into challenges with their resolutions or health goals. These include:
Overly Ambitious Targets: Setting unrealistic goals can lead to disappointment and discouragement
Lack of Specificity: Vague goals are hard to measure and track
All-or-Nothing Mindset: A single slip-up can derail your entire resolution
External Pressure: Trying to meet someone else's expectations can be stressful
Fortunately, these common themes also point us toward some effective solutions for a more strategic, measured approach.
Setting Effective Health Goals
New Year's resolutions tend to be ambitious and aspirational—often to the point where they can be somewhat unrealistic. Instead, consider setting health goals that are based on the SMART principle:
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. Whether it's running a 5K, or being able to walk to work without pain, we recommend thinking beyond weight loss where possible.
Measurable: Set quantifiable targets - like taking three more walks a week, exercising one extra hour, or cooking from scratch for five nights a week.
Achievable: Choose goals that are realistic and within your reach.
Relevant: Ensure your goals align with your values and lifestyle, not just what other people think you could or should be doing.
Time-bound: Set a deadline to create a sense of urgency.
Once you have your SMART goals, spend some time thinking about how you are going to actually achieve them.
Tips for Achieving Your Health Goals
Start Small: Begin with achievable steps to build momentum.
Track Your Progress & Be Mindful of How You Feel: Monitor your progress to stay motivated, but try to also think beyond the data provided by your CGM, your scales or your smart watch. Learn to tune in to how your body feels as you make changes, and use that practice to stay motivated - and to fine tune the strategies you deploy.
Find a Support System: Surround yourself with people who encourage and support your goals.
Reward Yourself: Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.
Be Patient and Stay Nimble: Remember that change takes time. Don't get discouraged by setbacks. Instead, use them as an opportunity to learn about what does and does not work for you, and then adjust your process accordingly.
Whole Health Partners is Here to Help
At Whole Health Partners, we believe deeply that you should be directly involved in setting your goals, and that you are the one who will be responsible for achieving them. We're not here to impose targets or tell you what to do. But we are here to provide expert, informed and collaborative support that is personalized to meet your needs.
Please do not hesitate to check out our self study course (below!) if you're contemplating or working on a change! Together, we're confident that we can help you achieve it.
Manage Your Weight, Improve Your Energy, And Feel Better
A self-paced, on-demand course. Created by dietitians and doctors just for you.
Would you like one-on-one help?
Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance
Blood Glucose Management, Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Thyroid Disease, Hormonal Health
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Perimenopause/Menopause
If you're looking for more guidance, check out our self-paced course.
