When you are ready to make a behavior change, set a goal to improve your likelihood of success! SMART goals include five important characteristics: Specific: Rather than trying to completely overhaul your lifestyle, focus on just one behavior at a time. Measurable: Include a definite way to track your progress. Achievable: To avoid discouragement, make sure the goal is realistic for you. Relevant: Choose a goal that is worthwhile and in alignment with what is going on in your life right now. Timed: Set a due date. As a guide for format, here is a SMART goal related to vegetable intake: By October 31, I will increase my usual vegetable intake from 1 serving per day to 2 servings per day. I will do this by having a main-dish salad for lunch and choosing one vegetable as a side dish with dinner. I will track my progress using NutritionCalc Plus. You can see that this goal is specific (focuses on one behavior change), measurable (servings of vegetables per day), achievable (two servings of vegetables per day is more than my current intake, but definitely possible), relevant (it would improve my digestive health and help with calorie control), and is timed