Step by step: it’s a good mantra. It can help you make it through the day to day routine or refocus you on small goals when the challenges seem insurmountable.  

Dr. Sara Powell, assistant professor of kinesiology at Missouri State University, works on goal setting, motivation and the psychology of physical activity.

She has particularly focused on behavior change for individuals who’ve undergone bariatric surgery. 

The weight loss journey is tough, but the psychological hurdles are equally immense. 

Powell encourages people to set goals not related to weight loss – goals that instead focus on health improvements. She uses the SMARTER acronym for these goals: specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, timely goals that you can evaluate and revise.  

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