Why goal setting matters in health & nutrition: How to set achievable goals and stay on track
Congratulations on taking the first step toward transforming your health through nutrition and exercise! Whether you start this journey on your own, with a nutrition expert, or with a group of friends - the decision to prioritize your well-being is already commendable. Still, you might be wondering about what's next.
Wondering about how to reach your nutrition goal is understandable. In health and fitness, success often begins with a roadmap, including specific and attainable goals. And proper goal setting is the key to unlocking your full potential and making your nutritional journey successful and fulfilling.
So, let's dive into the art of setting goals that propel you toward a healthier, more vibrant life. Get ready to embrace a personalized path to wellness that aligns with your aspirations and sets the stage for the incredible transformation that awaits you.
The importance of goal-setting
Studies have shown that goal setting in health and fitness is very effective for increasing your overall physical activity and sticking with your weight management plan.
No wonder the goal-setting process is a fundamental aspect of nutritional coaching. Creating a clear vision of what the client wants to work toward in a specific, measurable timeframe is necessary. Goal-setting provides the client with a detailed roadmap to achieve the desired outcome. A coach can only design an effective program with a specifically designed goal.
In short, goal setting involves defining what an individual aims to accomplish and creating specific, measurable timelines to track progress toward achieving those objectives.
Once a goal or multiple goals are designed, nutrition coaches can leverage them as a foundation for devising actionable steps to modify clients' behaviors, influence their dietary decisions, and bolster motivation and self-assurance. It is important to remember that goals can evolve over time. Therefore, regular reassessments are crucial for coaches to remain attuned to their client's changing needs and aspirations.
Knowing your health & fitness goal is the first step in the right direction. But you also need a solid plan to reach your goal. A certified health & fitness expert can help with that.
But let's first look at the different types of goals to determine whether a nutrition expert is the correct person to consult for help.
The different types of health & nutrition goals
Numerous goal types exist. However, while goals concerning personal growth, education, health, relationships, physical, spiritual, and psychological well-being, behavioral changes, and education all count to different types of development, specific categories hold particular relevance for a nutrition coach. These include topics regarding goals linked to physical well-being, overall health, and behavior in connection to nutrition and lifestyle.
Below is a brief explanation of the goals nutrition coaches should be mainly concerned with.
Physical goals:
An essential characteristic of a physical goal is its subjective nature. This means they are quantifiable and open to reassessment. However, it is also critical that physical goals are turned into SMART goals. The definition of SMART goals is that the goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. They also need to fall within the purview of a nutrition coach. An example of a nutrition coach client's physical goal could be reducing the BMI by 3 points within six months.
Health goals:
Health goals are focused on a client's health. An example is to achieve and maintain healthy blood pressure levels through dietary changes and lifestyle modifications. Interestingly, health goals often emerge as a natural outcome of a client's overall progress. For instance, when a client lowers body fat percentage by 3 percent throughout their health and fitness journey, they can also improve their blood pressure or blood sugar levels.
Behavior goals:
Behavior goals pertain to specific changes in a client's behavior. Typically, these changes, whether modifying or adjusting to a new method, focus on behaviors the client has direct control over. An example would be to stop drinking soda and increase water intake instead.
As briefly discussed earlier, it is very beneficial that all goals within a program are outlined as SMART goals. SMART goals should be specific, clear, and well-defined, leaving no room for ambiguity. SMART goals should also be measurable, including concrete criteria that allow the coach and client to track progress and determine when the goal has been achieved. SMART goals should also be achievable, meaning they are realistic and attainable. It is critical that SMART goals are relevant and align with your overall objectives. Additionally, SMART goals should be time-bound. This means they can be achieved within a specific timeframe.
The seven steps of the goal-setting process.
Are you motivated and ready to work on your health & nutrition goals with or without the help of a nutrition expert? Then let's take a look at the seven steps of the goal-setting process:
The goal-setting process is a dynamic cycle that involves seven key steps to help clients achieve their objectives effectively. Below are the seven steps of the goal-setting process explained:
Determine goals and assess client willingness:
This is the most critical step of the goal-setting process. The coach needs to determine the client's physical or behavioral goal and assess how willing the client is to work on the goal today. This assessment will determine whether the goal is realistic, what timeframe is possible, and which steps should be prioritized to reach the overall goal.
Turn goals into SMART goals:
Once the client and coach define a desired result, it's time to transform it into a SMART goal. This means making it Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. A SMART goal provides clarity and structure, making tracking progress and staying focused easier.
Write down the goal:
Writing goals down solidifies the client's commitment to achieve them. It serves as a tangible reminder of what they are working toward. This step will keep them accountable and organized.
Make an action plan:
Goals without a plan are merely wishes. A coach must create a clear, actionable plan outlining the client's steps, strategies, and resources.
Establish a timeline:
Setting a timeframe is crucial for creating a sense of urgency and preventing procrastination, so defining specific deadlines for different milestones is key to staying on track.
Act:
This step is where the real work happens. The client needs to take consistent and purposeful action toward their goal.
Reevaluate and assess progress:
Regularly reviewing a client's progress is essential. This will help determine what strategies are working and whether or not a goal has been reached and needs to be replaced by a new goal.
Now you know what goal-setting process to expect when working with a professional nutrition coach. Of course, you can also always start the journey on your own.
Here are a few more tips for tackling your health goals.
Turning your vision into SMART goals and following the seven steps of the goal-setting process is an integral part of achieving your aspirations. Yet, a few other tips and tricks help you stay strong on your health and fitness journey.
Be committed, be motivated, and start now!
Next Monday, next month, New Year's Day - these are all popular times to set new goals, but you don't need to wait for a special occasion to make things happen. Following a new path and aiming for new goals can be done every day, so grab a pen and paper and make a plan!
Don't just plan. Start!
Making a plan is relatively easy. Following it, not so much. Just remember that becoming, being, and staying healthy is a lifestyle choice that will be with you for the rest of your life. A noticeable shift doesn't happen overnight, but the small choices you make every day add up over time to create enormous changes. These small steps will continue to lead you on your path toward achievement. Just take the first step and continue to walk toward your goals.
Plan ahead to overcome hurdles
No matter your health and nutrition goals, there will be a time when excuses will form in your mind. The solution is to evaluate your weaknesses before they intervene with your goals so you already have an action plan when the hurdles arise.
Share your goal with others
Whether you tell your family, friends, or coworkers, sharing your health and nutrition goals and announcing your ambitions in public will hold you accountable. It will also show who supports you on your journey and might even want to join.
Fail to plan, plan to fail.
Remember that goal setting is a cognitive process. This means you need to be mindful when picking your goals and genuinely care about them to work to achieve them. Determine a specific, measurable, and achievable goal you care about and make a strategy to reach it within a reasonable time.
Do you already have a goal you'd like to work toward? Let me know!