How to Set SMART Goals for 2014

TOPS News: December 19 Meeting

Seven TOPS and two KOPS were present for the December 19 meeting of Imperial TOPS NE0267. Karen W. was the best loser for the week. The Yes-Yes is 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. The No-No is tasting while baking.

Cheryl introduced a TOPS Loser Lotto contest, to begin the first of the year. At Shirley’s suggestion, the club will also start the Vegetable Soup Contest from the December/January TOPS magazine. Participation in contests is voluntary.

Cheryl distributed copies of The TOPS 10 Ways to Lighten Your Holiday Meal. Some suggestions: 1) Eat a healthy snack before the party; 2) Go easy on the appetizers; 3) Bring your own healthy dish; 4) Prepare a winter fruit dessert; 5) Put your fork down between every bite. She also talked about setting goals – personal and as a group -- for 2014, using the SMART way: Make sure goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

TOPS Club meets from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Imperial Community Center, with weigh-ins beginning at 8:30. For more information about TOPS, phone Cheryl at 883-0265 or see www.tops.org. The first meeting is free.

How to Turn Dreams into a SMART Goals

The difference between Dreams and Goals:

Dreams are often short on details and long on wishes: “I want to feel better and have more energy.”

Goals address concrete steps for reaching your dreams: “I will walk a mile every day after work this summer.”

Don’t just dream: Plan and Do by making goals that are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

Here’s how you can make a dream into a SMART Goal:

I will _____________________ (specific thing you will do) by _________________ (the attainable and realistic means you will use _________________________ (how you will measure your progress: how often, how many, how much) for/before/until ___________________ (how your goal will be timely: when you will accomplish it.

Adapted from My Day One, page 4