Living SMART: Five Essential Skills to Change Your Health Habits Forever

by Joshua C. Klapow, Ph.D. Sheri D. Pruitt

The myriad of books and programs that encourage people to stop smoking, get organized, spend less, or exercise more tend to focus on what or why to change, but rarely explain how to change. Living SMART provides this missing piece. Developed by two behavioral psychologists, the program offers a set of practical tools drawn from science, not faddish ideas, that help readers successfully change any unhealthy behavior. Composed of five essential behavioral initiatives — Set a goal, Monitor your progress, Arrange your world for success, Recruit a support team, Treat yourself — the program is built on the idea that successful change takes more than mere motivation. Containing helpful tips, checklists, exercises, and progress charts, this simple, step-by-step book enables readers to take control of their lives and make positive, permanent changes. A companion website provides additional information, tips, and downloadable forms.

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2007

Reviews

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this book is as interesting and as motivating as a book can be about health behavior modification. In graduate school I took a required course in health behavior and health education, which I found to be dreadfully boring and for the most part, unhelpful. In the class I learned the traditional SMART acronym (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely) for setting goals. Hands down, I believe this SMART system (Set a goal, Monitor your progress, Arrange your world for success, Recruit a support team, and Treat yourself) will be more effective at motivating individuals to make changes in their health than traditional SMART goals. I only wish I had used this book in the course I took in graduate school – it would have made the class so much more interesting and useful in my everyday life!

[Chris Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've looked at, thumbed through, and even read books like this. I was not impressed. They always seem to be written by someone who does not have an empathy for the problem they are trying to help you with.[return][return]This books feels different. This information is not new certainly, but the authors seem to bring it across in a manner the really hits home. At least for me.[return][return]I plan on really using this book. I'll keep this review updated and let you know how it goes.

[Charles Coachman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent on several levels. Setting healthy goals and showing you how to achieve them in a very simple manner.

[Ursula S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical book with some helpful exercises to help the reader make changes in her habits. Easy to read.

[Lara happy_spinster_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently using this book as part of a Weight Management Program through Kaiser.

I’m working on changing my eating habits, exercise, and improving my sleep.

It’s been very helpful so far, just gotta avoid that drift!