SMART Goals

By: Karin Michalk, MS PT CNS
Functional Nutritionist and Physical Therapist

A large part of the work I do is coaching someone through behavior change. Anytime someone desires to undertake nutrition and lifestyle changes to address a health condition or to optimize their health, behavior change is required. Sometimes it can require significant behavior change. In order to make behavior change more successful and sustainable, we often use something called SMART goals. If we can clearly identify what we want to change and how to measure it so we know if we are successful, change will be easier. Here are what the parts of a SMART goal mean:

S-Specific: What do you want to accomplish?

M-Measurable: How will you measure your progress?

A-Attainable: Is this goal sufficiently small with specific steps to make it achievable?

R-Realistic: Is this something you are willing and able to accomplish.

T-Timely: Set a deadline for achieving your goal.

An example of a complete SMART goal might be: Over the next week, I will walk for 10 minutes after each evening meal in order to help with blood sugar control. As this goal is met, we may progress to something like this: Over the next month I will walk for 10 minutes after each of my meals in order to further help with blood sugar control.

If you have a health goal you would like to pursue, I’d be happy to do a free 15 minute Discovery Call to see if I can help you.