Goal setting is critical to accomplishing any task, especially weight loss. Of course, you can sometimes reach your goal without having a strategy. However, scientist have found that chances of reaching the weight loss objective would be improved significantly, if the effective goal setting is utilized.
The weight loss goals must incorporate 3 points - they have to be precise, inspiring, and rewarding. For a goal to be precise, decide how much weight you want to lose and the timeframe. An inspiring goal is the goal, which motivates you to lose weight (to feel better, lower your cholesterol level, increase your energy level, decrease heart disease risk, etc.). Also, imagine the rewards after you reach your goals (better physical appearance, more active life, etc.). Connect you rewards with the accomplishments and if you hold off on rewards until you met your goal the reward will seem a lot more valuable. Commitment, dedication and time are a must for achieving your goals. Moreover, no rewarding yourself with food!
The goals can be divided into short-term (one to six months) and long-term goals (6 months to five years). When setting the goals for fast weight loss, it is important to remember the type of goals you are trying to achieve versus the time frame as you might not be able to reach your long-term goals within a few months and might get discouraged.
The short-term goals will relate to quick weight loss, exercise, food, and other personal improvements. You have to set small achievable goals at this stage to see the progress and to reward yourself. For example, excercising a certain number of days a week, eating certain number of calories per day, eliminate certain unhealthy fatty foods from your diet, etc. Small but consistent accomplishments are more beneficial than losing 10 lbs fast and then gaining it back in a month.
If you are trying to lose over 10 lbs, it is beneficial to have a bigger picture in mind. If you generally struggle with weight loss, you know that you should have long-term goals. Decide what they should be. Drop a few sizes? Being able to run a mile or two? Being able to walk for an hour? Change your lifestyle more dramatically? Determine your final goals and what you want to achieve - in 6 months, one, two and five years. You will have to focus on the items related to the weight loss issues you generally find challenging. Do you always gain a lot of weight over the New Year's and then have to spend a month or so on a diet? Do you always gain weight on vacations or after you go out with friends? Be aware of your patterns. Know your patterns and figure out how you can maintain more stable weight over a long period of time. Plan bigger rewards for your weight loss accomplishments - a new wardrobe in a smaller size, new haircut, a vacation, etc.
Weight loss, especially fast weight loss, has to be taken seriously, as it involves a variety of issues including physical, psychological, and physiological as well as sometimes tough food choices. Therefore, setting weight loss goals is not something you can just jump into without putting much thought into it or doing prior research. Setting effective weight loss goals is a challenging task, but which will provide rewarding benefits, improving your health and increasing your life expectancy in the long run and making you feel and look better in the shorter run if you do it right.
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