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Setting goals

Your plan is to improve your health. Two types of goals can help you do this: long-term and short-term.

Long-term goals

Your long-term goal is something that’s not possible now but will be over time. It’s the goal that inspires you and that will show how far you've come when you complete it. It's usually a goal you hope to reach in 6 months or a year.

A long-term goal could be to walk for 1 hour 3 times a week. To keep going, think how proud you'll be when you reach this goal.

When you reach your long-term goal, you can keep things fresh by setting new goals. With the help of goals, you can go as far as you want!

Don't forget to write down your goals. They may change, but you'll want a record. Writing them down is a great way to start your plan to improve your health.

Short-term goals

Short-term goals help you accomplish your long-term goal. They keep you going day to day. They are usually goals you hope to reach tomorrow or next week.

One example would be to start using the stairs at work, or to take one 10-minute walk and build up to walking 3 times a week. Short-term goals should be easy to do and will grow as you make progress.

Author Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Heather Chambliss, PhD
- Exercise Science/Weight Management
Last Updated September 1, 2006

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: September 01, 2006
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.