5 Tips for Goal Setting

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How to Reach Your Weight Loss Goals?

Here are tips to set your weight loss goals...

Why should you care about goal setting? You want to lose weight. That's goal enough right?

Well, no. It's not, and trying to work towards such a broad goal will find you floundering.

Let's look at it.

Say you want to go to America.

America is a large country. What part of America? East, West, North, South? Mountains, beach, desert? Sight - seeing, shopping? You need to be a little more specific.

And's it's the same with weight loss.

Would you be happy with just 1lb off? Probably not. But that is what you're essentially saying.

A goal should be clear. Something you can measure. Something you can say, yes I've succeeded. I'm there.

Your goal is your destination. Every journey needs a destination.

So, if you want to be successful, there's no getting around it, you're going to have to sit down and work out exactly what you want to achieve. Where you want to go. You need to get specific. Know exactly what you're working towards.

What do you do? Where do you start?

Luckily for you I've put together my top 5 tips for setting your weight loss goals.

1. Tips for Goal Setting: Think Long Term and Short Term

So how much weight do you want to lose in total. 3 stone, 5 stone?

That's your long term goal. Your destination.

But wait, you're not done there. You also need to have an idea of the road you'll take to get there. And that's where short term goals come in. If your long term goal is your destination, your short term goals are the journey.

Both are really important.

Just imagine how disheartening it would be to travel towards your goals for months, only to find that you're no further down the road. Achieving the short term goals will keep you motivated.

And you can change direction if things aren't going to plan. Or you fancy a different view.

So don't just focus on your long term goal. Think short term as well.

2. Tips for Goal Setting: Don't Just Focus on the Numbers

When you want to lose weight it's easy to get caught up on the numbers.

Lose 3 stone, 1lb a week. Get into size 10 jeans. 10cms off your waistline. Get to 20% body fat.

Having a measurable goal is important. Hell, it's essential. But what's behind the numbers? Why do you want to get there? What will it mean to you to reach those goals?

Focusing on the numbers can distract you from what you actually want to achieve.

The emotion behind the numbers.

Getting into a wedding dress.

Looking amazing in a bikini.

Being able to have a child.

It's important to keep these things in mind. They'll be your motivation to keep going when the going gets tough.

Numbers don't mean much. The emotion does.

3. Tips for Goal Setting: Workout What You Need to Get There

Once you know your destination and your journey you'll need to know how you're going to get there.

So write down everything you think you'll need.

There's no limit here, you're not signing up to anything. Switch off your logical brain and get creative. Think of anything that might help. Practical or ideal world. If you think it would help, write it down. If you struggle with this, start with what holds you back now.

What would make those easier?

Maybe you struggle to include exercise into your day. So would having a home gym help?

Maybe you struggle to motivate yourself when exercising, struggle to push yourself that bit harder. So would a personal trainer help?

Don't worry about the practicalities at this stage. Just write it down.

4. Tips for Goal Setting: Start Sorting

Once you've got your list of things you need, then it's time to sort them out.

What is essential and what can you do without?

Again start with what holds you back now. Anything you've noted to help overcome that should be essential. If you can't get them in the form you wanted, are there ways around it?

You don't have to do all of the journey in first class.

A home gym would help you move more. But have you got the room? Have you got cash to spare for the initial outlay? If not, consider opting for a gym membership. Not ideal in all circumstances but paying monthly means less of an initial outlay.

Can't afford a personal trainer to keep you motivated when you're exercising? Joining an exercise class and going with a friend will help. And it'll keep you accountable.

Do you hate food shopping? Do you leave it to the last minute and then end up having takeaway or microwave meals? Whilst a personal shopper would absolutely help, that's quite a luxury, so look into online food shopping.

The important thing is to determine what is absolutely essential and what is ideal.

Can you work around the ideal? Find another way?