Gettin' SMART
In July, I formed a women’s group — “5 or 50” Women’s Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group. A time for us gals to come together — bond, share, encourage. To dispel negative thoughts of ourselves, of each other, and approach weight loss sustainably. Over the months, we’ve done just that.
At the year end meeting, I challenged the ladies to start looking forward to the new year. “Claim 2013 as your best year yet.” Though I don’t believe in new year’s resolutions, I do agree that the new year is a great time to hit the refresh button. So we spent our final meeting of 2012 by discussing SMART goals. Their homework over the holidays was to fill out a SMART goal and Action plan packet.
To kick off 2013 we created our SMART goals with the help of Clark College Health Professor, Erin Staples! Erin was my Wellness Coaching professor last fall and taught me what I know about SMART goals and coaching. Once I got the ladies started I thought It would be nice to have the guru step in.
Thanks again, Erin — we appreciate you for helping us get SMART.
More about SMART GOALS–
A SMART goal is:
**S is for SPECIFIC.** Decide what you are going to do and how
to do it.
**M is for MEASURABLE.** Keep track of how you are doing.
**A is for ACHIEVABLE.** Pick something you think you can do.
Start with small changes. Is running a 4-minute mile
possible for you?
**R is for REALISTIC or (REWARD)**. Be realistic about the goals
you set. Getting down to your high school weight after
having 3 children may not be realistic. Set a goal that you
can not only attain, but is in reason for you. You know
yourself best.
**T is for TIME-SPECIFIC.** Give your goal a deadline.
SMART goals are to be written down in a certain way, it gives them even greater power.
“Goals not written down are just wishes.”
Chrisetta Mosley
I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. As a child, my family always told me that my extra weight was merely baby fat and I’d eventually grow out of it. I never did. Instead, my childhood is filled with memories of not being able to ride a bike, flattening its training wheels from being over the recommended weight, and avoiding P.E. classes by any means necessary. For years, I wore my fatness like a wounded soldier wears a Purple Heart - with pride. I owned the look. I dressed it up. I worked the room. There wasn't a skinny girl who intimidated me. I made sure my hair was laid just right. Nails polished. Outfits coordinated to the tee. Accessories to compliment every outfit. But everyone has a breaking point, and mine came in the spring of 2004 when I tipped the scale at nearly 400 pounds 388 to be exact. I was MISERABLE trapped inside of that body. I no longer wore my Purple Heart with pride. Rather, I was ashamed and frightened. Ashamed that I had allowed food to become my everything – frightened I would die because of it. Drastic times called for drastic measures... Today, I’m bound and determined to live a better, healthier, active lifestyle. I realize I’m no longer a passenger in my life, I’m the driver. I’m overcoming my inhibitions and I’m slowly but surely saying farewell to my old childhood nemesis, obesity. For once and for all, Farewell Fatso!