Setting Goals for Losing Weight
August 2012
Losing weight is much like any other task or project you take on—you must set realistic and attainable goals if you wish to succeed with your endeavor. You can better set yourself up for success when you set achievable weight loss goals. The right goals can keep your motivation levels high and your weight loss progress on track. On the contrary, if you set goals that are too unrealistic you take a chance at sabotaging your efforts by potentially becoming discouraged or burnt out before you reach the finish line. When you set out to fulfill your weight loss goals with the help of medical weight loss, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Make Numeric Goals
Making numeric goals can sometimes be tricky as some goals are easier to put a number value on than others. You may not want to set a numeric goal for your overall end weight loss results as the process of losing weight is a gradual one and it may be several months before you finally reach the end. Instead, make goals numeric where they can best benefit you in a timely manner.
For instance, instead of making your weight loss goal something like “I want to feel better in my clothes,” it’s beneficial to be more specific by saying “I want to comfortably be able to fit into a size 10 pair of jeans.” When you turn appropriate goals into numeric, achievable ones you’re better suited for success than if your goal was too general to begin with. Your numeric goals don’t have to be just about clothes—as long as they’re attainable and tailored to your weight loss success, anything will do.
Make Realistic Goals
Before you began your medical weight loss program, you may have had a set goal weight in mind. However, weight loss is different for each person and the goal weight you had in mind initially may be not be realistic in your individual case. Your medical weight loss doctor in Beverly Hills or Bakersfield will be able to help you figure out an attainable and appropriate end result goal weight. Depending on what that goal weight is, your weight loss per week or month will also vary.
Instead of having too-high expectations for your weight loss schedule, ask your doctor what an appropriate amount would be for either two weeks or one month at a time. Once you’ve been given a realistic outlook on how much weight you can expect to lose, you can then use those guidelines to remain on track with your goals. Your weight loss doctor will never lead you astray and you can rest assured his suggestions for weight loss will always be attainable according to your individual needs.
Make Several Types of Goals
You don’t always have to stick to the same type of weight loss goals throughout your medical weight loss journey. You actually may benefit more and feel more motivated to stay on track if you have several different types of weight loss goals to look forward to. Your goals don’t always have to be weight-related. Set goals for the number of minutes or miles you walk each week or how many times you will visit the gym. By making several different goals for your weight loss program, you will have more reasons to celebrate and more ways to stay motivated for losing weight.
Losing weight is a gradual process that takes time, patience and a lot of hard work. Keep yourself motivated along your weight loss journey by making achievable and realistic weight loss goals. Don’t reach too far or have too high expectations for weight loss and when in doubt, never hesitate to ask your weight loss doctor if a particular goal lines up with your individual weight loss program.