Setting goals

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Setting goals

Your plan is to improve your health. Two types of goals can help you do this: long-term and short-term.

Long-term goals

A long-term goal is not something you can do all at once. It’s the goal that inspires you and that will show how far you've come when you complete it. It's usually a goal you hope to reach in 6 months or a year.

A long-term goal could be to walk for 1 hour 3 times a week. To keep going, think how proud you'll be when you reach this goal.

When you reach your long-term goal, you can keep things fresh by setting new goals. With the help of goals, you can go as far as you want!

Don't forget to write down your goals. They may change, but you'll want a record. Writing them down is a great way to start your plan to improve your health.

Short-term goals

Short-term goals help you accomplish your long-term goal. They keep you going day to day. They are usually goals you hope to reach tomorrow or next week.

One example would be to start using the stairs at work, or to take one 10-minute walk and build up to walking 3 times a week. Short-term goals should be easy to do and will grow as you make progress.

Credits

Last updated:	August 26, 2008
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Heather Chambliss, PhD - Exercise Science/Weight Management
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC