Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
Maintaining health is one of those things that is touted as the most important thing in life. However, it is also one of the most ignored…that is until you get sick or are in pain. I understand this dichotomy of life because it’s not always easy to make changes and stick to them. For this reason, it’s important to set health goals.
Perhaps you’ve recently put on some weight or want to take up a sport but don’t feel fit enough to do so. It could be you just want to get healthier in general, or you want to be a good role model for your kids. No matter what the reason is to want to be healthier, it’s crucial to have a plan set before you start. The primary reason for this is to keep you on the course should you lose your way. Let’s take a look at several simple ways to reach your health goals.
Set Realistic Goals
Setting realistic, measurable goals sounds simple enough, but there can be some tricky spots to work through. This can be especially challenging for perfectionists and those who are over-achievers. Yeah, I’ve traveled that road many times. After all, we want to reach those goals fast and furiously, right? In this case, let’s save the dramatics to the movies and take a ride on the gentle side. Let’s look at a couple of reasons women tend to set unrealistic goals for their health.
Time crunch: if there is a way to get it done faster, we women will jump on board that trains. We want to be efficient and have our efforts glean a payoff as fast as possible, especially if it’s about our health. Time is precious and women tend to put others before themselves when busy.
Superwoman Complex: yeah, it’s a real thing. Do more. Be more. I am woman, hear me roar! I’ve had to put the kibosh more times than I want to admit. More is not always better or healthful. I’ve learned that taking my time is the best way to reach my destination. (hint: it’s not usually about the destination but the journey itself.)
Though these two things do find their way into some women’s lives, it doesn’t mean they can’t change or be transformed into strengths.
Set Measurable Goals
Another way to facilitate positive change in your health is to set measurable goals. To do this effectively, you have to know where you are. Once you have this information, you can set your course like you would on a trip.
To measure your goals, it’s best to have a number attached to them. For example, if you want to lose weight, select a weight that you want to reach in a specified timeframe. This allows you to keep track of your progress and see how you’re doing along the way. You can also make adjustments based on your experience and results as you go.
Put Tasks on the Calendar
Once you know what your goals are, you can select the tasks to move you toward them. Most of these tasks are things that you will need to do regularly to get the best results. For example, if losing weight and running 2 miles are your goals, going to the gym 3 times a week might be one of the tasks you would put on the calendar.
Of course, some health goals like improving your blood pressure or not getting any cavities are goals that have some tasks that aren’t frequent. Visiting the dentist or your doctor for a checkup will only be occasional but still, put these on the calendar.
Involve Others and Be Accountable
Having your friends and family be involved in your goals helps you stay on track. This is especially true if they are working on the same goal as you. This could be as easy as meeting your friend at the gym once a week or taking regular walks with your family. You might even meet friends and family in an outdoor space and take advantage of public park fitness equipment to enhance your enjoyment and accountability of meeting your fitness goals.
**** This post is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Women’s lifelink, its owners, administrators, contributors, affiliates, vendors, authors, and editors do not claim that this information will diagnose, treat, or improve any condition or disease.
