If you have been frustrated with an inability to lose weight or you feel stuck in a rut, try setting some weight loss goals. Sometimes we go into the whole weight loss journey without a real plan in place.
Goals give you something concrete to shoot for. Without them it can feel like you are running a race without a real finish line. Think about how that would feel. If you ran and ran and ran but saw no end in sight it would quickly become very discouraging. However if you have something to strive for it makes the race much easier.
First, set your goal. Is your goal to lose a specific amount of weight? Is your goal to weigh a certain amount? Or is your goal to fit into a particular size? Whichever way works best for you, set a goal.
Keep that goal realistic and short-term. Maybe in the long run you would like to lose 75 pounds but that is something that will take a long time. So start with smaller goals. For instance, you might say that by October 1st you want to lose 10 pounds. That is a realistic and short-term goal that will feel more attainable.
Next, what goals do you want to set for yourself with your eating habits? Obviously you can’t lose weight unless you change your eating habits. So again, set realistic and short-term goals. It usually doesn’t work for someone to completely change their eating habits at one time. So you might want to do this in increments.
For instance, maybe you want to spend one week cutting out soda. The next week might be eating a healthier lunch and so on. Keep the eating goals short-term, realistic and once again, attainable.
You also want to set exercise goals. It would be silly to say that you want to run a marathon or to go out and buy some expensive exercise equipment. I say start simple. All you need are a good pair of walking shoes and some light weights. Slowly begin to introduce exercise, especially if you haven’t been active.
With time you might add other programs, join a gym or purchase some type of equipment. However small goals will get you somewhere much faster.
So don’t be discouraged if your weight loss journey isn’t taking you where you would like to go. Set a new course, a new path and some new goals.
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