Setting the right goals

Changing the way you approach weight loss can help you be more successful at weight management, and setting the right goals is an important first step. Most people trying to lose weight focus on just that one goal- weight loss. However, the most productive areas to focus on are actually the dietary and physical activity changes that will lead to long-term weight change.
Everyone’s ultimate aim. So set yourself some goals, and try to stick to them. These goals should be;

1. Specific
2. Doable
3. Forgiving (as in they don’t always have to be perfect, like us!)

‘Exercise more’ is a good goal, but it’s not specific. ‘Walk 5 miles a day’ is specific and measurable, but is it really doable if you’re just starting out? ‘Walk 30 minutes every day’ is more doable, but what happens if you’re held up at work, it’s raining really hard and getting a bus is a far more sensible option. ‘Walk 30 minutes, 5 days a week’ is specific, doable, and forgiving. In short, a great goal! Have a think about what could work for you…

Once you have your goals, why not decide to reward yourself if you meet them? You may choose material items, make a payment towards buying something more expensive, or an act of self-kindness like an hour of quiet time away from the family. Try not to make the rewards food-based! Frequent small rewards, earned for meeting small goals, are generally more effective than bigger rewards that require more concerted effort.

So when you set your weight loss goals- have a think. Sure, in the back of your mind there may be a little voice saying ‘I’d love to lose a stone’, but think instead about how you are going to get there, and let these become your goals. Approaching weight loss the right way can not only make your goals more achievable, but also easier in the long run.

And we all like long runs don’t we?!