Setting Goals

Setting goals can help a lot when you're trying to make a healthy change.

• Focus on small goals. This will help you reach larger goals over time. With smaller goals, you'll have success more often, which will help you stay with it.
• Write down your goals. This will help you remember, and you'll have a clearer idea of what you want to achieve. Use a journal or notebook to record your goals. Hang up your plan where you will see it often as a reminder of what you're trying to do.
• Make your goals specific. Specific goals help you measure your progress. For example, setting a goal to eat one extra serving of vegetables a day is better than a general goal to "eat more vegetables."
• Focus on one goal at a time. By doing this, you're less likely to feel overwhelmed and then give up.
• When you reach a goal, reward yourself. Celebrate your success, and then think about setting your next goal.