Take Action! California 5 a Day—Be Active! Worksite Program: Setting Goals is the Key to Success

Setting Goals is the Key to Success

Whether your worksite decides to focus on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption or increasing physical activity levels, the key is for participants to set realistic, achievable goals for the 10-week program. People who are not consuming fruits and vegetables daily or not doing physical activity daily when they start the program should set goals that encourage a gradual increase in those behaviors. People who are already consuming the recommended number of cups of fruits and vegetables and who are already physically active should set goals that motivate them to continue increasing those healthy behaviors.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults eat 3 1/2 to 6 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables every day. The specific number of cups within this range that each adult should eat depends on his/her age, gender, and physical activity level. (See "Participant Materials" section to determine how many cups each adult needs.)

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans also recommends that adults engage in 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week to help manage body weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain. This activity does not have to be done at one time. Two 30-minute sessions or four 15-minute sessions are just as beneficial.