Healthy New Year Resolutions: How To Set The Right Goals

Posted on: Dec 27, 2023 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Healthy New Year Resolutions: How To Set The Right Goals

Many of us decide on goals to achieve at the start of the new year. These resolutions are aimed at achieving personal growth, healthy living, and happiness. They reflect our expectations of ourselves. However, the truth is that we often fail to stick to them till the end. This happens because sometimes we set unrealistic goals that are unmanageable, and they end up taking too much of our time or energy, leading us to drop them from our to-do list. But your motive was noble - it was towards self-improvement and uplifting well-being. If this has been your story year after year, don’t worry; help is here.

It’s essential to approach New Year resolutions in a way that integrates them into your daily routine, sets aside time for them, and stays committed. First, plan your resolutions properly. For example, if your health goals are to lose weight, become more energetic, and increase productivity by the end of the year, start by setting daily goals that will help you achieve these results in 365 days. Begin by setting SMART goals, which stand for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. While we assist you in setting SMART goals for 2024, ensure you also have health insurance covering hospitalization and emergencies in case of unexpected events. Life is unpredictable, and you don’t want to take any risks.

Setting SMART Health Goals For 2024

Before setting SMART health goals for 2024, it is important to understand what you expect from yourself clearly. Health matters can be complicated, so speaking to an expert like a nutritionist, gym trainer, or family doctor about your needs is best. Find out which areas of your health need attention and where to focus your efforts. Ideally, before setting health goals, get a self-check done, including CBC, lipid profile, noting your current weight, stress test, HBA1c, etc. This will give you an idea of where you currently stand. Often, losing some weight can help to take care of other health parameters too.

Now, if your goal for 2024 is to lose weight (which is also a popular resolution for many Indians but often abandoned soon after the start of the new year), start by setting SMART goals to achieve your target and get your other health parameters in check. Here is how to do it the smart way:

1. Specific

Begin your New Year resolution with a definite objective and direction. Avoid setting vague aims like “Want to lose weight,” “Want to become healthier,” or “Want to have more energy.” Instead, set specific goals such as “Want to lose 20 kg by 31st December 2024,” “Want to reduce my HbA1c to 5.7% in 2024,” or “Want to participate in the Marathon in January 2025.” These specific directives will help you focus better and make your mind more receptive towards them. Specific goals provide a clear roadmap to achieve them with ease.

2. Measureable

Remember to break your goals into small, measurable steps. If you’re working towards weight loss, set goals such as exercising for 30 minutes a day, limiting your calorie intake, drinking 2.5 litres of water, and weight training twice a week. To lower your HbA1c, consider following a balanced diet and exercise plan that includes eating at least 5 servings of green vegetables per week, walking thrice, and meditating twice a week. If you’re planning to run a marathon in 2025, start by planning your running journey, such as running at your own pace three times a week and alternating with brisk walking. You can gradually increase your speed and stamina each week or seek help from a coach. Remember to measure your progress regularly to stay on track with your goals.

3. Achievable

When you’re creating goals, make sure they are specific and measurable. It’s important to ensure that they’re also achievable and realistic. For example, if your goal is to lose 20-24 kilos in one year, break it down into smaller goals of losing 2-2.5 kg each month, which would be roughly 1-1.5 kg each week. This is a feasible goal for most people. However, setting an unrealistic goal like losing 7 kg each week will only lead to frustration and disappointment when you fail to achieve it. Ultimately, these negative emotions can make you give up on your resolution altogether.

4. Relevant

After setting up your goals, it is important to break them down into achievable and doable goals. However, ensuring these goals are relevant to your priorities is equally important. For example, to lose weight, you should focus on making plans promoting regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Avoid drafting a list of web series to watch as this can lead to a sedentary lifestyle and hinder your weight loss progress.

5. Time-bound

It’s important to set a resolution with a specific deadline. This helps you avoid the mindset that you can catch up later if you fall behind for a few weeks. Instead, aim for small, relevant, and attainable goals with a specific timeline. This will create a sense of urgency and commitment, helping you achieve your larger goal, such as losing 20-24 kg in one year. Set monthly targets to ensure you stay on track and make steady progress towards your ultimate goal.

Tips For Living Healthy In The Year 2024

While setting SMART goals can help you achieve your health targets, there are other health tips that can keep you healthy and reduce the chances of getting ill or being hospitalized.

a. Engage in 30 minutes of moderate exercise, five days a week, to improve your cardiovascular health.

b. Increase your daily water intake to eight glasses and track your progress using a water intake app.

c. Gradually reduce your added sugar intake by substituting sugary snacks with healthier alternatives like a fruit platter or a handful of nuts and dried berries.

d. Attend preventive health screenings that hospitals or health centres cover to detect and address potential health issues proactively.

e. Enroll in a small, innovative personalized wellness program to improve your health quotient, boost positivity, manage stress, and sleep.

The Take-Home Message:

Setting SMART health resolutions empowers you to take charge of your well-being and enhances the quality of your life. By fostering a culture of proactive health management, you set an example for society to live a healthy life. Ensure you also have a health insurance plan to take care of your finances in case of hospitalization or medical emergencies. The benefits of healthy living are many, and one of them is that your insurer can offer you a comprehensive health insurance plan at competitive premiums that are easy on your pocket and ensure comprehensive coverage.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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