5 Secrets Of Setting And Reaching Your Weight Loss Goals
Good intentions for weight loss are wonderful. Like a whole lot
of folks, I swore I would start to exercise more, go on a diet,
and lose those extra pesky pounds for good. Months later, I'm
still deciding on the 'best' diet for me, and paying the monthly
gym dues for visits that I am 'just about' to get around to.
What's the hold up? I had the best of intentions to lose weight
and keep it off. I never got started. According to the experts,
I failed because I didn't have a specific, workable, weight loss
plan. Studies in the Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology found that people with firm action plans were more
likely to engage in goal driven behavior, (eg.weight loss). In
my case, I wanted to lose weight and start a healthier
lifestyle. But as you can guess, this isn't as easy as just
writing down "Lose weight and exercise more", and sticking it on
the bathroom mirror.
Developing an action plan is a process you must go through,
really think about, clearly visualizing what you want. By
answering the following questions, you can create your own
weight loss and exercise action plan.
What are my goals? What, exactly, do I want to achieve? Get
those ideas out of your head and on to paper. That helps to make
them concrete and doable. Who doesn't like checking off lists
when they get done?
There are five specific things you should keep in mind when
writing down all of your weight loss goals:
1. Make your goals specific. Don't say you 'need to lose weight'
or I'm 'going to lose weight', say you will do it. For example:
"I will lose 15 lbs and take a walk every evening."
2. Make your excercise and weight loss goals measurable and
specific. 'I'll walk on the treadmill three times a week for a
half hour at a speed of 3.5 miles an hour'.
3. Write down your chosen goals. Create both short term and long
term goals for losing weight. Keep a chart or journal to track
progress and give yourself some encouragement as you reach your
weight loss milestones.
4. Set deadlines. Make your weight loss goals not only
measurable, but time specific. Set your weight and exercise
goals realistically. It's hard to pursue goals that can never be
attained. Unrealistic goals that never seem to be reached can
add to your stress level.
5. Give yourself emotional reasons for continuing to lose
weight. What moves you to action? Imagine your feelings when you
succeed. What will your reward for achievement be? Write it down
and plan for it.
When should you begin? How about right now! It's decision time.
You can continue to dream about a healthier life style, starting
to lose weight and looking better, or you can do something about
it today. You can stay stuck in your rut, or you can make a
change. You can put off your happiness until another day, or you
can begin doing positive things now, that you know you are
capable of doing.
The choice is yours. It's easy to fall into the trap of
'someday.' Someday I'll lose those extra pounds, but right now I
have so many other things to take care o'f. The truth is, you
will always have things to take care of, people to see, and
places to go. You have to make time for a better life for
yourself because you are worth it.
Now that you know how to set up a specific, goal oriented,
weight loss action plan, there is nothing stopping you!
Bill Urell reviews only the best diet and fitness plans, tips,
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