Everyone trying to lose weight, has a reason for doing it, and a goal they would like to reach, but not all have what it takes to make it happen. Said reasons may be to look good and feel good about one’s self as well as to achieve better health. But weight loss can be a difficult goal to achieve largely because there was a flaw in the setting of goals in the first place. Indeed, it is important to start on the right footing where something as important as losing weight is concerned. Realistic goals for losing weight the right way can be set with the following three tips.
Goals for the short-term should be set: From the time the goal was first set to the time your progress will be measured should only be about a week. Until the completion of the program, this process can be repeated over and over while you are losing weight. In this way, you can keep your eyes on the realizable goals instead of becoming frustrated with your apparent lack of progress. You will then be able to celebrate mini-milestones, so to speak, which will then provide the essential motivation to keep going with your diet and exercise plans. Basically all you need to do is change your mentality from a month to a week, such as lose 2 pounds a week rather than 10 pounds a month. Thinking about this as a goal is definitely easier. It is just a mental thing to make it sound easier, like saying 15 minutes after dinner each day, rather than exercising every day.
Fix your mid-range goals: Where your mid range goals are concerned, the time frame is longer, the goals are bigger, and the results are much better. Once to start losing weight with your short-term goals, and also have your mental outlook revised, then it is time to move on to phase two. In the second part, your goals will be higher and more challenging than at first, but mainly you will just build on the gains you have already made. Until the goal of losing 30 pounds has been achieved, the middle phase goal will be to lose 2 pounds a week for the next two weeks. Intermediate goals build on the first goals, such as the food portions getting less, and the food becoming healthier, along with the exercise becoming more.
Part three goals: Long-term is where you intend to live the rest of your life, so be specific in what you actually want. When you can see the end weight loss goal as the prize you are striving for, then you will have what most people who successfully lost weight had. There are three parts to this program, because the focus needs to be on what needs to be done today, building on what was done yesterday, and looking for the results tomorrow. To live healthier should always be a goal, but so should keep the weight off, eat better, and continue to exercise.
In conclusion, safe, effective and healthy weight loss can be achieved when you stay positive. Work out a way you can stay committed to the goals for your own happiness and you’ll find it easier to stay on the right track for the specific goals set beforehand.
Radhia Gleis is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, C.C.N. She is also a Certified BioNutritional Analyst. She has a Ph.D. in pastoral counseling and a M.Ed. in nutrition.