Goal-setting for a new year

It wouldn’t feel like January without talk of resolutions and the promise of change in the air, but will it last?

Resolutions have the reputation of being short-lived, and one common reason resolutions fail is because we set unattainable goals or unrealistic ones that will be very difficult to achieve. If you want to avoid this outcome, take the time to think about what you would like to achieve so that you can set a SMART goal for yourself.

A SMART goal can help provide you with direction and purpose when working toward achieving it. Set a goal that is: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based.

Start small. One small change each week can add up to big improvements over time. If you start with a modest goal, it will be easier to implement and over time it will become part of your routine. Creating and working toward sustainable goals is extremely important so that you can maintain the changes you’ve worked hard to achieve.

If you’re someone who didn’t set a resolution this year, or if you’re looking to start over, it’s not too late — and your local Atlantic Superstore registered dietitian is here to help.

It’s common to want to reset and refocus after all the holiday indulgences but going on a diet may not be the right way to do so. If your intention is to lose weight, you may want to rethink your strategy. Statistics show that 80 per cent of people who go on a diet will regain the weight later, and sometimes more.

Are you tired of getting on and off the diet wagon? Losing weight and then regaining it? You may want to consider ditching the diet this year to start working toward creating healthy, sustainable habits that work for you. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, the We Are All in this Together Program at our local store may be just what you’re looking for! This six-week healthy weight program provides you with an opportunity to make a lifestyle change that lasts beyond January. It is designed to find ways to a healthier you without dieting or restricting food intake, and will provide you with the ongoing support you need to create sustainable change.

For more information about this program, book a free 15-minute consultation with me or with any member of our Atlantic Superstore in-store dietitian team across the Atlantic region. Call, email me or visit bookadietitian.ca to schedule your consultation. Together, we can get you where you want to be!

Ellen Greenan is a registered dietitian with Atlantic Superstore in New Glasgow.