What are SMART Goals?
Whether you have a great handle on managing your diabetes or need help in certain areas, developing SMART goals are a great way to stay on track. SMART is an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Making sure the goals you set meet these criteria will lead to greater success in your ability to manage your diabetes! Here is how to make sure your goals are SMART.
Specific
Vague goals will be difficult to accomplish. It may also be difficult to stay consistent with general goals that lack specificity. It is important to have a specific objective in mind that will be easily identified when it is reached.
Bad Example
I will work out more – this goal leaves open-ended interpretations of what it means to be completed. More than what? What counts as working out?
Good Example
I will go to the gym for 20 minutes, 3 times a week – Boom! The goal is still to “work out more” but now we know exactly what that means to us. The specificity of this goal makes it easier to know when we accomplish it, and easier to stay consistent when we achieve it.
Measurable
Bad Example
I want to be healthier – How do you measure your health? This goal has no way for you to keep track of how close you are to meeting your goal, or even know when it’s been accomplished.
Good Example
I will lose 15 pounds in 3 months – This goal is specific and easily measurable. You know that in order to reach this goal, you will need to lose approximately 5 pounds per month. So if after one month you have not reached that threshold, you allow yourself the time to make adjustments during the last 2 months!
Achievable
Bad Example
I want to eliminate my need for medication – while it is possible for people to eliminate the need for medication through proper management and healthy lifestyle changes, it may be a big step for some. This situation is also different for every person. You may require still medication for diabetes despite your best efforts.
Good Example
Instead of taking both metformin 1000mg twice daily, I will be able to decrease my dose to 1000mg once daily based on a decrease in my A1C and glucose levels. I will work on achieving this within 6 months – when it comes to your medication needs, it helps to be very specific. This goal is achievable for someone who has room to decrease their A1c and glucose levels.
Realistic
Bad Example
I will go to the gym 7 days a week for 2 hours every day – while this is an ambitious goal, it may not be realistic for everyone.
Good Example
I will go to the gym for 1 hour 3 times a week – This goal is much more realistic and provides flexibility for an increased chance of achievement.
Timely
Bad Example
I will eat healthy – this example is open-ended and leaves room for interpretation. If you eat one healthy meal, will that complete the goal?
Good Example
I will eat a meal consisting of one lean protein, leafy vegetables, and quinoa for dinner Monday through Friday for 3 months – This goal has 3 elements pertaining to the timely element of a SMART goal. It lets you know when in the day you will have your healthy meal (dinner), when in the week (Monday through Friday), and for how long you will be doing it (3 months)!
How Do SMART Goals Help with Diabetes?
Lifestyle goals are commonplace for most people. Whether you want to exercise more or eat better, most people are walking around with goals in mind. People who have been diagnosed with diabetes are faced with certain lifestyle choices they need to make. Blood sugar, weight, diet, and other factions of life now become even more important. Utilizing SMART goals gives you a better chance to succeed. This allows you to better plan out what you are going to do to achieve your goal and hold yourself accountable!
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
Sign up for ClearSpring’s diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) classes. Join us and learn a better way to manage your diabetes. Many have experienced improved blood sugar, blood pressure, and A1C levels. Learn how to avoid different symptoms such as diabetic feet. ClearSpring also offers compounded medications that meet your exact needs. So check us out and start taking control of your diabetes!
Dana Sadowski
Pharmacist, ClearSpring Pharmacy
