I gave myself a SMAC today.

I have had so many gym memberships, I've lost count. Like most of us, I would go for a while and then, inevitably, life would get in the way and I would stop. Promising myself that next week would be better. For years.

Then, I was diagnosed with a neuro-muscular disorder, Myasthenia Gravis, that made it even harder to consistently exercise at the level I wanted to. With this disorder, my muscles just stop when they are tired. They no longer function. This makes it really challenging to follow any typical exercise program. You're supposed to get stronger as you go and then increase your running speed, distance, add more weight, whatever. Over time, I realized that with this model, I would do fine for a few weeks, but then I would become increasingly exhausted. It would become hard to breathe, to lift my legs, I would get double vision and then I would fall off the wagon, again. Or, rather, my disorder pushes me from the wagon.

This time has been different. I've been able to walk, consistently, for months. I've been able to do yoga, consistently, for months.

As I realized this during my walk today, I tried to figure out why, and I came up with SMAC.

I SMAC'd my goals! I made them:

Simple
Measurable
Achievable
Consistent

Simple - I walk. No running. No weights. As many days as I am able. I do my yoga routine, but only when my body feels able.

Measurable - I walk a regular amount of steps. Relatively, a small amount, but an amount that just pushes my body without overreaching. I have a regular yoga routine that works for me.

Achievable - Most days, I can walk this amount of steps. Occasionally, I push  myself a little harder, but never so hard that I knock myself off the wagon again. I love yoga, so it feels like I'm treating myself, daily.

Consistent - "Just keep swimming." That's my motto. Just do it as many days as you can. No guilt necessary for days that I'm not feeling it.

I'm really enjoying this acronym and I'm excited to find out how many other goals I can work with this thought process. 

I'm looking forward to sharing this with my clients and seeing how they can SMAC their goals too!