By Megan Ponke, MS, RDN

When the New Year rolls around, New Year’s resolutions often come with it. Setting goals for new and improved behaviors has been a popular trend for years. Resolutions can be big or small, but for most, they tend to center around diet, exercise, and appearance. Going to the gym more, eating a healthier diet, drinking more water, eating less sugar, etc. – all with the end goal of *drum roll* weight loss!

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight, but living a healthy lifestyle means more than just focusing on the number on the scale. And in case you’ve never tried it, changing multiple habits in one day is not easy (and rarely successful long-term). So, what’s a better way to go about setting your personal health goals for the New Year?

Here’s a few of my top tips:

1. Set SMART goals:
   • S- Specific. Set a goal that is clear and specific. Knowing what you want to accomplish, why, and how, is important. Don’t be too specific about your goal weight, though – your weight is just a number. Focus more on how you feel! 
   • M- Measurable. Having a measurable goal helps you to track your progress while staying positive and motivated! 
   • A- Achievable. Don’t set a goal that’s too large and overwhelming. It needs to be realistic and attainable, otherwise you may experience burnout.
   • R- Relevant. Is it worthwhile? Is it the right time? Does it align with your other goals? Make sure you know why your goal matters to you. 
   • T- Time-based. Give yourself a deadline to work toward, while being flexible. This will help you stay focused on your long-term goals. Set small, short-term goals along the way to help yourself reach them. 
2. Find your support group! 
   • It’s important to have strong support. You don’t have to do everything alone! Having others to rely on and confide in will help you to reach your personal goals. Work with a friend, a trainer, a therapist, or a Registered Dietitian, depending on your specific goals! 
3. Don’t fall for the fads.
   • Fad diets lurk everywhere and promise extreme results (“lose ten pounds in five days!”) with limited effort, and lots of money. Drinking detox teas, purchasing expensive supplements, or eliminating an entire food group isn’t the way to go. Fad diets don’t care about your long-term health and well-being. A healthy lifestyle includes movement along with a well-balanced diet. 

If you have questions about setting realistic and attainable health goals for the New Year, email us at dining@wayne.edu to make an appointment with the Registered Dietitian! Here is Megan Ponke’s Winter semester schedule:

• February 5 @ Towers Cafe, 11am-2pm
• February 6 Office Hours @ Dining Services Office, 10:30am-3pm by appointment
• March 4 @ Gold ‘n’ Greens, 11am-2pm
• March 5 Office Hours @ Dining Services Office, 10:30am-3pm by appointment
• April 2 @ Student Center Food Court, 11am-2pm
• April 3 Office Hours @ Dining Services Office, 10:30am-3pm by appointment