The new year has arrived! And with that change in the calendar comes a time for many of us to think about our health goals for the rest of 2025. Have you thought about any changes you would like to make in the new year? Setting goals for your health can be a helpful way to make positive changes. But before you set any lofty goals for 2025, really think about what is important to you. Are you interested in doing more activity or eating more healthfully? Are you hoping to get back into gardening or other hobbies? It is easy for health care providers to set goals for you. But if those goals are not important or meaningful to you, you may be less likely to reach them.1
Once you set some goals for yourself, try to break them into smaller pieces that are easier to reach. Some people may say “I want to lose 20 pounds this year.” That goal may sound like a tough one to achieve. But if you reframe it and say, “I want to lose five pounds before the end of March”, it sounds much easier to reach.1,2
It’s also important to remember that small, gradual, changes can be easier to maintain than quick, abrupt ones.1,2 For example, if you have a goal to eat healthy, but you go on a crash diet that restricts all of your favorite foods, you may be less likely to stick with it. But if you make small changes, such as replacing one snack each day with fruits and vegetables, you may see similar results while still enjoying the other foods you love. And just like in the story of the tortoise and the hare…slow and steady wins the race!
Healthy eating is just one possible goal for this year—there are many more you could think about! And the COPD Foundation has several tools that can help you think about what goals you may like to set and how to get started in reaching them. First, check out the CIRCLES Workbook. This interactive booklet has an entire section dedicated to goal setting. It has exercises in it that will help you to set small, achievable goals that work with your lifestyle. It also offers tips on healthy eating, exercise, and more! But before you make any changes to your diet or activities, be sure to ask your health care provider first. While exercise and healthy eating is important, you have to make sure you are doing it in a safe way.
You can also find some goal setting help in our My COPD Action Plan. Download a free copy today and fill it out with your health care provider. Then, you’ll have a treatment plan to follow on good days and bad. Near the top of the action plan, you’ll see a goal setting section where you can track your current activity level and make plans on how to improve it in the future.
What are some of your health goals for 2025? Share your best tips and tricks below and let’s learn from each other.
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