The first step on your successful weightloss journey is to set realistic and achievable weightloss goals. But how do you do this? What is realistic for you when it comes to weightloss? How can you set goals that will give you the maximum chance of success?
When it comes to setting your goals, its not enough just to say “I am going to lose weight”. Its far too general. It lets you off the hook too easily when things get tough, and has no deadline. How will you know when you have achieved your Goal so that you can schedule in that all important celebration?
When setting goals for weight loss (or anything else) you need to make them SMART !
- Make your goal specific . Write your goal down and put it where you can reconnect with it every day. For example on the bathroom mirror, or your wardrobe door. Write it down in some detail - what you are going to do, why you are going to do it, what the consequences will be for you if you don't achieve it.
- Your goal needs to be measurable - put a number in there. How much weight do you need to lose? Before you do anything else consult with your Doctor. Your friendly GP should be able to tell you a healthy weight range to aim for and even be able to help you with a healthy eating and exercise plan.
- Your goal needs to be attainable . It should be a challenge, but not something you know you can't achieve. Don't set a goal of losing 20kg if you know you really only care about losing 10kg. There is nothing more demoralising then a goal you know you will never reach! Make sure you are not setting yourself up to fail!!
- Make sure your goal is realistic and do-able. Don't set a goal to lose 4kg a week. That is not only unhealthy, but not very likely. Set yourself up to succeed! For most people a loss of about 500g (approx 1lb) a week is a healthy and realistic amount. Its also important that you set a healthy overall goal. The easiest way to determine your ideal healthy weight is to calculate your BMI. You can easily find a BMI calculator on the Internet.
- Your goal also needs to be time-bound . You need to have a realistic date set for you to reach that goal.
Here's an example of a smart weight loss goal:
“If I don't start to address my weight gain I will be opening myself up to all kinds of health problems and setting a bad example for my children. I am going to lose 10kg so that I can fit into my favourite little black dress, so I can run around with my kids without feeling exhausted, so that I can be healthy and live to see my Grandkids. I am going to lose 500g each week and will achieve my goal in 20 weeks by 1 October 2008″
And don't forget to reward yourself each week as you lose weight, and to plan a big celebration when you reach your final weight loss destination. You deserve it!
