Eating well, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight can improve PCOS symptoms, but do you know what it means to be S.M.A.R.T. with PCOS? The key to making positive changes is goal setting. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym that some people (such as Project Smart in the UK) use to make sure their goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Are your goals S.M.A.R.T.?

S as in Specific: Answer the “W” questions: who, what, where, when, which, or why.

• Example: If you want to “eat healthier”, a more specific goal would be “I am going to cut down on sugary drinks (such as soda, juice, or sweet teas).”

M as in Measurable: Answer questions such as “how much?” or “how many?” to know whether or not you have accomplished your goal.

• Example: You can say “I’m going to have sugary drinks once a week compared to having three sugary drinks every day.”

A as in Attainable: Achieving a goal can build your confidence and may help you reach a more challenging goal in the future. Know your limits when you set goals and remember to make changes at a pace that works for you.

• Example: Maybe stopping soda all at once is too big of a change. Instead, you can slowly limit the amount you drink until you’re having one soda just once a week.

R as in Realistic: Being realistic is about knowing if you are willing and able to accomplish your goals. Knowing what motivates you will help you reach your goals.

• Example: You may be willing to cut out some sugary drinks, so you could start with soda, and then move onto juice and other drinks.

T as in Timely: Give yourself a specific timeframe to work on your goal. This will help you get started. Depending on how you did, you can decide to stick with the same goal or try a new one once the timeframe is up.

• Example: You can say “I’m going to have one glass of juice a day instead of three sugary drinks every day for a month. Then I’ll make new goals that build onto the one I just made.”

Other examples of foods to set goals with are whole grains and fruits; eating whole grains instead of refined grains, and having fruits and vegetables instead of treats.

Don’t worry if you haven’t reached your goal. New goals can always be made. By finding out what works or what doesn’t, you’ll be well on your way to being S.M.A.R.T. with PCOS.

-Dietitian Bryan