Five S.M.A.R.T Goals for your Healthiest Family Yet
EVENTS: Health Coaching for Kids (>8yo) Workshop Series on SMART Goals
WHERE: KareBoost Health (107 Cedar Grove, Suite 100, Somerset, NJ 08873)
TIME: Tuesdays at 4:30pm and 6:30pm on March, April, and May (link to Upcoming events)
A S.M.A.R.T. goal is a goal that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-framed. While this is a great framework for goal setting in general, today we will discuss how to apply S.M.A.R.T. goals to implement healthy habits for the whole family.
1. Specific: It is wonderful to start out with goals like “I would like to eat healthier” or “I would like to move more”, but defining what that means for you and your family will make your goals more attainable and sustainable. Narrow down your goals and be as clear as possible. A specific goal is “All family members will include a piece of fruit with their breakfast” or “ Dinner will always include 2 different vegetables”.
2. Measurable: Set goals that are easily quantified. For example, instead of “the whole family will get outside more”, try “5 nights a week, after dinner, we will enjoy a 30 minutes walk as a family”.
3. Attainable: To set goals that are achievable, work together as a whole family to brainstorm changes you would like to make. For example, setting a goal to get up and work out at 5 am will most likely not work for the whole family. Your family is much more likely to stick to a plan that they have input on and agree with. Part of instilling healthy habits for life is helping your kids to realize that movement and cooking are fun, not tasks to dread.
4. Relevant: Avoid setting yourself up to fail by setting realistic goals. If dinner is usually a rushed affair, do not expect to stick to a goal that involves concocting a three-course meal five days a week. While you might not have a long time to cook, using a slow cooker to prepare healthy meals while you are at work may fit your schedule better.
5. Time-framed: One of the biggest obstacles to healthy eating is time. Setting out sustainable goals in advance will help you to form a healthy eating plan. Planning and shopping for weekly meals in advance will help to prevent ordering a pizza when everyone is starving and there is no food in the house.
Even with your S.M.A.R.T. goals in mind, know that challenges will arise. Be flexible and open to adjusting your goals as it becomes clear to you what is working and what is not. A healthy diet is a sustainable diet, and all sustainable diets have room for change- and dessert! Set goals that focus on increasing not only health but also happiness, and remember that you are the biggest influence on how your children eat.
Come Check out our SMART Goals for Healthy Families on Tuesdays in March 2017 with our Health Coach!
Greg Bing, M.Ed., A.C.E. Certified Trainer, Youth Fitness Specialist
Kara Unal JD, RYT
KareBoost Health
WHERE: KareBoost Health (107 Cedar Grove, Suite 100, Somerset, NJ 08873)
TIME: Tuesdays at 4:30pm and 6:30pm on March, April, and May (link to Upcoming events)
A S.M.A.R.T. goal is a goal that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-framed. While this is a great framework for goal setting in general, today we will discuss how to apply S.M.A.R.T. goals to implement healthy habits for the whole family.
1. Specific: It is wonderful to start out with goals like “I would like to eat healthier” or “I would like to move more”, but defining what that means for you and your family will make your goals more attainable and sustainable. Narrow down your goals and be as clear as possible. A specific goal is “All family members will include a piece of fruit with their breakfast” or “ Dinner will always include 2 different vegetables”.
2. Measurable: Set goals that are easily quantified. For example, instead of “the whole family will get outside more”, try “5 nights a week, after dinner, we will enjoy a 30 minutes walk as a family”.
3. Attainable: To set goals that are achievable, work together as a whole family to brainstorm changes you would like to make. For example, setting a goal to get up and work out at 5 am will most likely not work for the whole family. Your family is much more likely to stick to a plan that they have input on and agree with. Part of instilling healthy habits for life is helping your kids to realize that movement and cooking are fun, not tasks to dread.
4. Relevant: Avoid setting yourself up to fail by setting realistic goals. If dinner is usually a rushed affair, do not expect to stick to a goal that involves concocting a three-course meal five days a week. While you might not have a long time to cook, using a slow cooker to prepare healthy meals while you are at work may fit your schedule better.
5. Time-framed: One of the biggest obstacles to healthy eating is time. Setting out sustainable goals in advance will help you to form a healthy eating plan. Planning and shopping for weekly meals in advance will help to prevent ordering a pizza when everyone is starving and there is no food in the house.
Even with your S.M.A.R.T. goals in mind, know that challenges will arise. Be flexible and open to adjusting your goals as it becomes clear to you what is working and what is not. A healthy diet is a sustainable diet, and all sustainable diets have room for change- and dessert! Set goals that focus on increasing not only health but also happiness, and remember that you are the biggest influence on how your children eat.
Come Check out our SMART Goals for Healthy Families on Tuesdays in March 2017 with our Health Coach!
Greg Bing, M.Ed., A.C.E. Certified Trainer, Youth Fitness Specialist
Kara Unal JD, RYT
KareBoost Health