Be a S.M.A.R.T Mama and Stay on Track in 2016!!

So you want to make some changes for the better, be it to your health, work or even taking up a new hobby. Goal setting is an important step in making changes. It is especially important to help us break bad habits and to create new better habits. However, it's easy to set a big goal but not so easy to stay on track long enough to achieve it. That's where S.M.A.R.T goals fit in. 

S.M.A.R.T goal setting breaks bigger goals down into smaller achievable chunks that are not so overwhelming to put into place, and gives you a sense of success no matter how small to spur you on to the next goal. The key thing is to be realistic and take not of the obstacles in your way e.g. a new baby!!

The goals that you set yourself will snowball into lots of changes that can really impact your life/health etc.

So for example, lets say that you have fallen into the new mummy trap of eating rubbish since giving birth partly because you haven't the energy to cook, you're up to your elbows in nappies, escaping the house seems an impossible task someday's to even shop and so preparing home cooked meals is simply out of the question...so a ping dinner it is then! Sound familiar?

Here is an example of a SMART goal to make changes for the better:

GOAL - To eat four healthy home cooked evening meals per week.

S (Specific) - It is specific in that it says exactly what you wish to achieve  
M (Measurable) - The "four times per week" bit makes it measurable
A (Achievable) -  Keep it real, think about your circumstances and address what might
get in the way e.g. organise who will meal plan and shop and when
R (Relevant) - .Will it actually move you in the right direction?
T (Time-bound) - Specify if it's a daily, weekly or monthly goal so you have a target.

When you meet your goals stay focused as it can take a few weeks to change old habits.When you're ready for more set another SMART goal or amend the existing one to step up the challenge to reap more benefits! Don't let set backs deter you, instead ask yourself why things didn't go so well and move on!!

Tip 1 - Display your goal somewhere you and others will see it regularly.

Tip 2 - If aiming for weight loss avoid focusing on how many pounds you wish to lose, instead focus on what you can do to achieve weight loss (e.g. healthy eating, pram walk for 30 mins 5x per week)

Tip 3 - Treat yourself when you achieve a big goal (obviously not with food if your goal is related to wanting to lose weight..teehey! How about a night a the pics instead... don't forget to book the babysitter in advance!

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" - Benjamin Franklin

Hope you find this blog useful. Enjoy your success!!
Debbie X