Setting Compelling Weight Loss Goals
Many people try to set goals to help them lose weight, but setting the wrong type of goals may actually prevent weight loss success. Learn how to set goals that will improve your chances of losing weight.
Strategies for Setting Weight Loss Goals that Work
- Be realistic. Set goals that you’re likely to achieve. Be realistic about how much weight you can lose and how quickly you can lose it. If you set up goals that you’re able to reach, you’ll be more confident and able to continue reaching new goals.
- Be specific. Avoid using vague terms like “exercising more.” Set a specific goal, instead, to walk for 20 minutes three times a week or work out for 30 minutes every day. Specific goals are easier to measure and give you guidance on how to achieve them.
- Set measurable goals. If you’re being specific, you should have clear ways to measure your progress. Set goals using units of time, distance, or weight that can be measured and monitored.
- Anticipate roadblocks. When you’re setting your goals, think about what problems may prevent you from succeeding. Plan ahead for how you will overcome these obstacles before they come up.
- Set a deadline. Open-ended goals are hard to measure because you never know when you’ve reached them. Goals should have a timeline attached to them. For example, “I want to lose 10 pounds by the end of the year” or “I want to work out for 30 minutes every day for 1 month.”