New year, new you!

The new year is a time when we think about a fresh start and what we want to accomplish.

What is a healthy lifestyle goal? It is your own idea about how you want to feel and the things you want to do so you feel good.

Understanding types of goals

Short Term (6 months – 2 years)

• Goals that you can accomplish in the near future

Long Term (2 years and up)

• Goals that are far-reaching and take longer to achieve

Selecting your goal

Think about how you can improve your life

• Many people want to live healthier…ask yourself, what does healthier living mean to me?
• Identify the lifestyle area you really want to work on (and believe you can be successful at) Examples:
• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Mental health
• Alcohol & substance abuse
• Chronic & infectious diseases
• Safety at home

Be specific and select a time in which you wish to complete the goal

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Click on the image below for an example SMART goal sheet

Once you set you goals hold yourself accountable

Write down your long-term goals. Writing them down means they are ready for referencing and review.  Post them where you can see them to keep you focused.

Share your goals with others and talk about your successes and challenges. This makes it more difficult to quit!

Review personal goals when you review professional goals. At every review for work, review yourself!

Tips for successfully setting and reaching goals

Accept that failure can happen and that disappointments are a part of life. Don’t give up!

Be realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure. For example, if you have not been exercising, don’t expect to run a half marathon with only a couple weeks of running.

Understand and accept that your life’s path is not the same as that of the person next to you. Work with what suits you.

Ask for help. Reach out to someone you trust and who supports you.

Get a partner – Committing to work out with another person often motivates us more than exercising alone.

Be flexible – If the weather is poor and you can’t get out, improvise an indoor workout.

Take a break – Take a day off to allow your body to recover and prevent burnout.

Visualize your goals – “See” yourself performing the activities that lead to success.

Do you have a success story to share?

Have you set a fitness goal and met it?

• Be proud of yourself! 
• If you met your goal and are willing to share your success, then let us know! 
• Contact us by sending an email to lifebeats@lyb.com
• Your story may be featured here for everyone to read!  
• You could be someone’s inspiration to make a change.

Good Luck!