You're Not Alone

 

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a year of firsts, fun, challenges, discoveries, family, love, excitement, and many memorable moments!  Did you set out to do something January 1, 2014?  Did you set out to eat healthier, exercise more, or lose weight?  How’d you do?  Did your eight ball of the year say “It is certain” or was it “Try again”?

The sermon series started today at our church was titled “Unstoppable.”  Unstoppable when you believe in Christ Jesus, accept God’s grace and forgiveness, and welcome the Holy Spirit, letting it fill you and guide you.  There is so much more, but it was a great reminder that we cannot do anything on our own, of our own strength, of our own will, but only with God.  And that’s ANYTHING…whether boldness in sharing the gospel or just trying to care for or improve our health.

What are your goals this new year?  Are you “trying again” after a valiant effort in 2014 or did you let your goals go in March?  Setting goals is a good first step, but why is it that we tend to let our New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside?  Let’s set good goals and remember not to take them on alone.

Keep your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound).  Many of you are likely familiar with this concept, as am I, but how often do we put SMART goals into practice for ourselves? 

Specific: Without specificity it is easy to put a goal on the back burner.  An example would be saying “I would like to eat better this year.”  Uh, okay, but in what way?  When occasions arise when the healthier decision is the harder one, it’s easy for this goal to become a fleeting thought you once had instead of a goal you’re striving to meet.  To avoid this, you’ve got to get specific.  Instead of “I would like to eat better this year,” say “I will reduce my dining out to no more than 1 time per week” or “I will have fruits and vegetables daily” or “I will reduce fried food intake to no more than 1 time per month.”  This will look different for everyone, but notice that each example is not only specific, but also measurable, attainable, and realistic.

Measurable: Don’t you want to be able to see your progress and assess how you’re doing?  If your goal is not measurable, you cannot determine whether you’re progressing or if you need to make adjustments for better results.  For example, I can easily see if I am dining out 3 times per week instead of my goal of 1 time per week.  If I am dining out 3 times, why?  Is it lack of planning?  To adjust, I’ll plan and shop for lunch from home instead of feeling I “have to” go out because I just have nothing for lunch.  Easy fix.

Attainable and Realistic:  It is good to challenge yourself, but don’t set yourself up for failure.  For example, don’t set a goal to exercise 90 minutes per day, 7 days per week when you are currently exercising rarely and have a family of 5 you’re caring for, organizing, transporting, etc.  How about starting with 4 days per week for a total of 30-60 minutes/day (even broken into 15 or 30-minute sessions).  You’ve got to start somewhere and setting an unrealistic and unattainable goal, no matter how exciting it may initially sound, may only lead you to a frustrating month or two and then another year of giving up.  Start small, start realistic and attainable.  When you reach it, you’ll set another new goal to strive towards even greater than the last.

Time-bound:  Don’t let the year slip by and greet 2016 ready to begin the same goals you have on your mind today.  If your goals are realistic and specific, you can complete them within a specific time-frame.  Give yourself a “due-date” of sorts.  You have to complete project assignments or the like by their due date to get a passing grade or to keep your job, etc.  Don’t let yourself procrastinate to 2016.  For example, say “By the end of May 2015, I will eliminate sweetened beverages from my intake by reducing it to 1 per day, then to 1 every other day, and so on, replacing it with water instead.”  “Challenge accepted.”

Set a good goal, write it down, tell someone your plans, and draw on strength outside of your own.  Utilize the support of your community, your friends, and your family.  Look to God for wisdom, strength, and resources.  You are not alone in your desire to reach better health, a more nutritious intake, and a stronger body and you definitely don’t have to take the road alone either. 

If you want to share your health or nutrition goal with me, leave a comment.  I would love to hear what you plan for in 2015!

If you would like to inquire about what I can offer you as a dietitian to help you meet your health and nutrition goals this year, please send your inquiry to plummernutrition@gmail.com.  I would love to be a part of your support system!  To a wonderful new year!