Losing weight is never easy, and sometimes that process is only made harder by the way in which we approach it. If our goals are too lofty or we are unrealistic about our expectations, it can tank our progress before it even begins. That’s why it’s so important to set smart weight loss goals. In today’s blog, we explain how you can set smart weight loss goals to help keep your weight loss moving in the right direction.
Losing weight isn’t just about getting down to a target number. We all have goals in our mind, but we need to be smart about how we work to achieve these goals. Here’s a look at some ways to be smart about setting and sticking to your weight goals.
1. Focus On Progress, Not End Results
Any net positive moves your weight in the right direction, so don’t get discouraged if you “only lost two pounds this week” when you were hoping for five or more. As long as you’re getting closer to your goals, it’s reason to celebrate. Don’t worry if it’s taking you longer than you hoped. Focus on the progress you’re making and continue to rack up small victories.
2. Prioritize Exercise
Don’t just hope that you’ll find time to exercise each day, specifically carve out time to get your exercise in. Whether that involves waking up a little earlier or skipping some television time on the couch, you need to prioritize exercise. Exercise will be the catalyst for your weight loss success, so you need to make time for it regularly.
3. Meal Plan
Many diet programs fall by the wayside because life gets a little busy. It’s easy to stop for fast food if you don’t have a plan for dinner, which is why it’s so important to prepare some healthy meals ahead of time. Know where your next meal is coming from, and consider planning dinners days in advance. Not only can you avoid calorie-dense foods, but you can actually prepare some healthy options to even further fast track your weight loss.
4. Set A Why, Not Just A What
When it comes to setting weight loss goals, don’t just set a target number, put some real thought behind why you want to reach that number. Do you want to be healthier for your kids? So that you can get back to doing certain activities that you love? Really think about why you want to lose the weight, because that will motivate you more than a number on a scale.
5. Be Specific
When it comes to setting weight loss goals, be specific. Don’t just say that you want to lose weight or that you want to feel more confident in your body. Specific targets are more attainable and really force you to follow through on your goals.
6. Write Them Down
Finally, many people find it easier to stick to their weight loss goals if they write them down and put those notes in a place they’ll see every day. It’s an easy way to help hold yourself accountable and to always make sure that your weight loss goals are never far from your mind.
And as always, if you need help with any aspect of your weight loss journey, or you’re finding it difficult to lose weight and are wondering if a minimally invasive procedure could help propel you to your weight loss goals, reach out to the team at the Bhatti Weight Loss Center today.