The weight-loss process is often referred to as a journey because it involves meeting a number of objectives to achieve overall success. Setting short-term, long-term, subjective and objective goals provides women with a solid foundation for making a detailed plan. Women who keep long-term goals in mind while focusing on the day-to-day actions needed to achieve those goals are more likely to lose weight and keep it off. Check with your doctor about changes you plan to make.
Clarity
A general statement like “I want to lose weight” demonstrates desire more than intention. Writing down specific goals helps to clarify what you want to achieve in the long run, whether it’s losing 20 lbs., dropping four dress sizes, trimming 10 inches from your waist or becoming fitter. Once you have your outcome goal in mind, you can outline your component goals -- the goals that guide your daily plan of action. These might include revamping your diet and starting an exercise routine.
Attainability
Well-defined weight-loss goals provide you with a realistic idea of how long it will take and how hard you’ll have to work to achieve them. For most women, a healthy weight-loss rate that they can sustain long term is 1 to 2 lbs. per week. If your overall goal is to lose 50 lbs., it will probably take you six months to a year to safely and effectively achieve it. If your original goal was to lose 50 lbs. in three months, an informed goal-setting process can steer you in the right direction and better ensure your chances of success.
Accountability
Short-term goals help you stay accountable to yourself, your overall goal and anyone who supports you. Having to be accountable may be what most influences you to stick to your plan. Accountability comes in many forms, including holding yourself accountable to your inner motivation and your daily routine, and through minor setbacks along the way. You might prefer being accountable to someone else, such as a personal trainer or close friend. Keep accountability positive by leaving shame and punishment out of the equation.
Measurability
Writing down detailed goals makes it easier to track your progress and measure your success. If exercise is a fundamental component of your weight-loss process, you might not see the numbers on the scale dropping, even as your clothes become looser. Have confidence in your daily goals, and track the overall trend of your progress, rather than getting caught up in minor fluctuations along the way. Once you drop a dress size or lose initial pounds, the boost in self-confidence can provide you with more motivation to stay the course — especially after a slip-up.
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