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Goal Setting Recommendations for the New Year

December 23, 2025 by HFS Staff

Welcome to our Health and Wellness Tips for the New Year blog series! As we step into 2026, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the past year and set intentions that will carry us forward. HFS Nutrition and Wellness Specialist Lacy Anderson is here to share practical strategies to help you create goals that truly support your future self.

How to Set a Health and Wellness Goal

Happy 2026! ’Tis the time of year when many of us reflect on what did or didn’t work over the past year and set goals to become our best selves. If you’re considering adopting some new habits related to nutrition and wellness, HFS Nutrition and Wellness Specialist Lacy Anderson has a few suggestions to level up your goal setting.

Some General Goal-Setting Recommendations:

  • Choose Sustainable Goals, Not Punishing Ones. Set goals that you see your future self still following in ten years. If a goal is so restrictive or requires so much energy that you’re not even sure you’ll sustain it for a quarter, it's probably going to do your future self more harm than good.
  • Set Goals that are Neutral, Not Judgmental. A goal like “I want to eat more vegetables” is judgement-free while “I have to stop eating unhealthy food” is a bit self-critical. Setting neutral goals will help you disconnect the goal from your self-worth. You don’t need to bring the pressure of self-judgment into 2026!
  • Strive for Progress Over Perfection. Getting closer to a desired outcome is better than getting no closer at all. If you need to adjust a goal to make it more achievable, do it!

You don’t need to make New Year’s resolutions if it isn’t your thing. However, if the New Year inspires you to reflect and goal-set, I hope you pick resolutions that bring you joy, reduce your stress, and help make this a great year to be you.

Lacy Anderson, MS MPP RDN CD
Nutrition and Wellness Specialist
lacyand@uw.edu

Need some recommendations for goals that will support your wellness in 2026? Read our other Health and Wellness Tips for the New Year blogs for more information:

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