A new year is always filled with the very best intentions and to make sure this year's resolution does not fail, Northern Health staff is offering a "SMART" approach to setting goals.
SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Bound.
If the goal is to become more active, it helps to be specific, for example, someone might choose to set a goal to walk for 30 minutes, and set it for five days a week, which is measurable, said Mandy Levesque, regional lead, physical activity, food & health.
Whether wanting to become more active for weight management or fitness, make sure you are physically able to work up to that level of activity, making the goal attainable. The goal needs to be a realistic one, making sure that five times a week is achievable despite obstacles like a busy schedule. Make sure the goal is time-bound so it is eventually achieved.
"One of the easiest ways to get started is to make a conscious effort to minimize the time spent during the day being sedentary," said Levesque. "Sedentary behaviours include sitting for long periods of time, watching television, playing video games, being on the computer or using motorized transportation - basically any activities that require very little physical movement."
For 2015, Levesque recommends people set a SMART goal to increase activity and decrease sedentary behaviour. Choose something fun and find an exercise partner when you're on the road to better health, she added.
Smoking is a very costly habit, not only cash-wise but to health as well.
The key to successfully quit smoking is to prepare to make the change, said Nancy Viney, tobacco reduction lead for Northern Health.
Not only is nicotine addictive but smoking can be a learned behaviour that can be associated with feelings or activities and it's also a social thing, too.
"Record what you were doing when you decided to smoke and why you feel you need one," said Viney.
Prepare by deciding if you're going to use nicotine replacement therapy, and if you are going to tell your friends to get support or keep it to yourself.
These and other questions should be considered. For help to stop smoking visit quitnow.ca or call HealthLink 8-1-1 to access quitnow BC Smoking Cessation Program. Everyone is eligible for 12 weeks of nicotine gum or nicotine patches and you may also qualify for assistance to get other tobacco cessation medications.
"The best thing you can do for your health is to quit smoking," said Viney. "Every day is a good day to quit smoking. Plan to make 2015 your smoke-free year."
Losing weight is a popular new year's resolution and people are often not successful, even doing harm to their physical and psychological health, said Lise Luppens, population health dietitian.
"Instead of focusing on your weight, focus on your health," said Luppens. "Make SMART goals related to eating well and being active. Healthy eating is important for people of all shapes and sizes. Physical activity is important for all bodies. Feeling good about yourself is important for everyone."
Luppens encourages everyone to focus on things like eating together as a family, minimizing distractions while eating, paying attention to hunger and fullness cues, packing a lunch to work, building social activities that are not centered on food, celebrating what your body allows you to do and making peace with food by going a year without weight-loss diets.
For more information about the SMART approach visit http://blog.northernhealth.ca/active-living/smart-start-to-the-new-year/.
