general well being

SMART Resolutions

Ever wondered how to ensure your New Year’s resolution becomes a reality? Here’s how!

As the New Year approaches we all start to plan for the year ahead. We begin to envisage our goals and dreams for coming year… do we want a new career? A new body? A new relationship? Surprisingly enough, the most common New Year resolutions are lifestyle related - getting fitter, thinner, buffer, healthier… or even, sexier! The success rate for achieving these resolutions is somewhere around 10%. So does that mean we should give up on our desires and dreams? I think not! But you do need to get smarter.

SMART is the acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic & Timely. It is a system of planning designed by psychologists and life coaches which has taken the world by storm. 

SMART Resolutions ensure success when you combined the theory with a personal trainer, dietician or committed fitness club – they will continue to remind and motivate you!

Specific: Goals should be specific. A vague goal such as ‘I want to loose weight’ would be more beneficial if it were something like, ‘I am going to loose 10KGS, by doing a CYCLE Class three times every week’. People with specific goals are far more likely to achieve them.

Measurable: How much weight do you want to loose? Our goal should now look something like; “I am going to loose 10kg to reach my goal weight of 80kg and monitor my progress every Monday to make sure I’m on track”.

Achievable: Is this a realistic goal? Eg. You’re not a size 2 hoping to loose 20kgs!!?! Is it possible for you to loose 10kg and can you calculate your calorie intake? Is it achievable on your own or should you seek some professional advice and help?

Relevant: Does your goal fit in with the “bigger picture” and plans you have for your future? Is this goal going to benefit you?

Time: A timeframe for you to achieve the goal and measure your progress; “I am going to loose 10kg to reach my goal weight of 80kg by December 2009”.

SMART resolutions have a much greater chance of success; they more than triple your chances. It is a great time of year to reflect on your life, see what you would like to change and commit to a new you.

QUIRKY FACT: “A famous study conducted at Harvard University found that only 3% of Harvard's 1953 graduating class had clear written goals with plans to achieve them. Twenty years later, the same class was surveyed again, and it was learned that that same 3% was worth more in financial terms than the other 97% combined! In addition the researchers found that the 3% had better health, relationships, and social skills.” So, record your goals and progress!