Let’s be clear: Resolutions are so 2015. Forbes estimates that just 8% of us manage to keep our New Year’s resolutions. What’s the point?

We’d like to encourage you to set goals, instead. And not just any goals; we want you to set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. It’s a great way to break a seemingly impossible goal into steps that will have you living your dreams in no time. Here’s how to get started.

What Do You Want To Do?

Maybe you want to stop smoking, eat healthier or get more exercise. Maybe you want to spend more time with your kids, get a new job or get organized. Maybe you want to totally reboot your life.

Start by picking one thing to focus on. It’s easier to keep motivated when you have a single purpose. If you have many goals, assign each a month for individual focus. This builds habits that support your goals and prevents your getting overwhelmed.

Getting Specific

So, you have your dream goal—now it’s time to get specific. Many resolutions fail because they are vague aspirations instead of concrete steps. Say you’ve decided to start exercising. Next decide on a specific metric for success. Whether it’s completing a couch-to-5K program or 30-day yoga challenge, make sure it’s possible to check the task off as “Done.”

Measure Your Success

Ask yourself, What does success look like? Sometimes it’s clear—if you want a new job, success means signing that new employment contract. Sometimes it’s opaque. Figure out how you are going to quantify success. Having a clear vision will motivate you. So will crossing off each step to your final goal.

Ambitious…Yet Achievable

It’s exciting to take on a big goal, but you have to set yourself up for success. A modest goal, achieved, trumps a grand one, unfulfilled. If you haven’t seen the inside of a gym in a year, completing a triathlon will be too much to accomplish by April. Set your sights on completing a local fun run first, then take aim at the Ironman.

Relevant…To You

Is your motivation genuine? Sometimes, we work to achieve things because we think we should—not because we need to. Choose goals that delight you in the process, not only the destination.  Never be cowed if others think your goal unworthy. When it matters to you, it matters.

Time Waits For No One

Goals are dreams with deadlines. A time limit sharpens your mind and allows you to plan the small steps to move you forward. A schedule aids overall SMARTness by forcing accountability and pragmatism.

Oh, Canada. We’re world-renowned for our winter, with iconic images of igloos, polar bears and parkas superimposed all over our national mythology. It’s a well-deserved reputation. Our winter is no joke. Here are some facts about our brutal winter that will amaze you – and make you proud to be a member of the toughest winter nation on Earth.

Coldest. Day. Ever.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada was logged on February 3, 1947 in the Yukon village of Snag. The mercury hit -63 degrees Celsius, which is a similar temperature to the surface of Mars. The title of coldest city in Canada is jointly held by Regina and Saskatoon, both of which have registered -50 degree Celsius days.

Brrr.

Grab The Shovels

On February 11, 1999, Tahsta Lake, BC had the biggest one-day snowfall in Canadian history: 145 cm of the white stuff came down in a single day. Compare that to Revelstoke, BC, which received 2446.5 cm of snow in 1971 (that’s 80 feet of wintry goodness right there). On average, Saguenay, QC is Canada’s snowiest city, averaging 342 cm of snow annually.

Dress In Layers

A well-known Canadian proverb states that if you don’t like the weather, you should wait fifteen minutes, because it’ll change. Pincher Creek, AB is proof of that going from -19 degrees Celsius to a summery 22 degrees in a single hour. Definitely a bit of a change.

It’s A Party

Winter is all about attitude. From Quebec City’s famous Carnaval to Edmonton’s Ice on Whyte, Canadians see the winter as a season to enjoy. In Montreal, a giant igloo is erected on the banks of the St. Lawrence and transforms into an all-night party and dance festival. Just wear two pairs of socks (and maybe some long johns).

Wintertime Party Trick

How do you know it’s real winter? When you can do this.

Despite one in six Canadians now known to be living with a gluten intolerance, it is still believed that Celiac disease and other gluten intolerances are believed to be highly underdiagnosed.

Four notable symptoms often associated with a potential gluten intolerance include:

1. Unstable bowel movements and issues, including cramps, bloating, excessive flatulence, chronic diarrhea, or constipation, have been linked to a gluten intolerance.

2. Dermatitis herpetiformis, an intense itching rash, or any skin inflammation may be a severe reaction to gluten products.

3. Joint and muscle inflammation, according to The Arthritis Foundation, both have been linked to gluten intolerance and celiac disease.

4. Headaches and migraines are also common symptoms of gluten sensitivity. A study on celiac disease and gluten intolerance has reported that 56% of those with gluten intolerance exhibit headaches and migraines as symptoms.

Three ways that you can test for gluten intolerance:

1. Thanks to medical advances, a two-week elimination diet is no longer necessary. Simple blood screening tests are now easily accessible to diagnose gluten intolerance.

2. If you are keen on taking up a two-week challenge, however, all you need to do is eat gluten-free for two weeks to look for any improvements. It is important to note that going gluten-free means 100% gluten-free. Like allergies, even traces and miniscule amounts of gluten can cause an immune reaction.

3. According to the Canadian Celiac Association, a small bowel biopsy can be performed by a gastrointestinal specialist for a definitive diagnosis.

It is important to speak with a medical expert when determining if you have a gluten intolerance as early as possible, as it may lead to long-term damages to the body if left undiagnosed and treated.

This January, London Drugs is proud to be sponsoring Canada’s largest gluten free event taking place in Vancouver, BC. Discover, sample, and save on hundred’s of gluten free products, while learning from leading experts. Taking place January 16 and 17, at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

For more details, please visit www.GlutenFreeExpo.ca