Many people start their weight loss journey with vigor and zeal but never identify their weight loss goals. When the journey becomes tough they quit along the way. There are a couple of factors that make people quit. One of them is the lack of clear and specific goals. Knowledge and information mean nothing if they are not converted into goals and daily actions. We have so much information at our fingertips. Yet so many people are still struggling with healthy living. One of the solutions to this problem may be integrating our health goals into daily living.
How to Set Weight Loss Goals?
Many people know the power of goal setting however only a few people put it into practice. Setting goals should not be a complex exercise. Firstly, identify an area that you would like to improve. Secondly, give it ample time (90 days is a good period) for results to show. Finally, write your goals down and focus on them frequently – daily or weekly. As an example, you are looking to lose weight or improve your health. Forget about quick results for a moment. Focus on transforming your goals into your daily routine.
A simple model is that goals should be present, positive, and personal.
1. Present: Identify and write down your health goals in the present tense rather than in the future. Instead of writing, “I will exercise three times a week. Write, “I exercise three times a week”. When you write your goals as if you have already achieved them, you are starting to see yourself as successful. You are practicing seeing yourself as already achieved those goals.
2. Positive: Your goals will be more effective when they are written as a positive statement. As an example, “I will get rid of the clutter in my office” vs “I have a clean and organized office”. One is focussed on the negative and the second one is optimistic and positive. A health example, “I lose 15 kilograms” vs “I weigh 85 kilograms and I am energic during the day”. The main difference is that negative goals push us while the positive one pulls us. The negative one is based on fear and the positive one is based on hope.
3. Personal: All your goals should be personal even as you write them down. This simply means starting all your goals with ‘I’. Instead of writing “my goal is” you write, “I weigh, or I achieve X”
Here is an example of putting the model together to get a goal that is present, positive, and personal for weight loss. “I weigh 80-kilograms, wear size 32 pants and I am energetic throughout the day”. “I will achieve this goal before the end of 31 December 2019”
Identifying and writing down your goal starts that process. You need to spend some time referring to your goal daily or occasionally. You need to get to a place where you know your goals like the back of your hand. Your healthy goal should make you feel excited and hopeful when you complete your workouts, which may not be exciting.
Clear and unambiguous goals will help you to not be distracted. When you see a new exercise program, you can say no and stay focused on your health goals. When you do not have clear goals, you will go with the flow. Your body takes time to adjust to a new exercise or eating program. Jumping on a new program every week will not help you reach your health goals faster. Identify your goals and then commit to them in the long run, then you will start seeing results!