Weight loss may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Setting realistic weight loss goals will help you feel better both inside and out. From how to set goals to how to track them, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about creating goals you can stick to.
With a ChiroThin program, we make it easy for you to make your health a priority. Our quick tips below will help you create a weight loss plan you’ll actually want to stay on.
1. Use Small Goals to Help You Reach Your Big Goals
While having grand weight loss goals is great, if you set your goals too high, you may have trouble keeping up with your high standards. Use small goals as stepping stones to reach your bigger goals.
Let’s say your big weight loss goal is to lose 40 pounds. Small goals could include, cooking your own meals six days a week. Another small goal could be cutting out alcohol during the week and working out five days.
If you’re trying to accomplish your 40-pound weight loss goal in five months, these small goals could help you lose the eight pounds you need monthly. On ChiroThin, patients have lost up to and over 25 – 35 pounds in 6 weeks.
2. Keep Your Goals Handy
To help you achieve your goals, there’s nothing like writing them out the old-fashion way. You can write them out on paper, put them on your phone, use an app, or keep them on your computer. The act of writing or typing them out helps give you the time to reflect.
Writing out your goals will help you determine what’s really important to your overall health. While losing weight is important, maybe lowering your blood pressure or walking more is also a goal. Our ChiroThin programs are designed to help you with more health goals than just weight loss.
Keep your goals somewhere you can see them. This can be your fridge, your desk at work, or your phone. Keeping them visible will help keep you accountable. This also gives you a place to refer back to. You’ll be able to check-in and see how you’re progressing on a weight loss goal chart.
Your goal chart is also a great place to store meal and fitness plans. You can keep recipes, meal prep ideas, workout plans, and more in the folder with your goals. If you aren’t keeping track of your progress, it’s easy to push weight loss off your to-do list.
3. Change Your Mindset Regarding Time
Everyone is busy. Between work, family, and other obligations, it’s easy to fall into the trap that you don’t have enough time to be healthy. It’s hard to lose weight if you go in with this mindset.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to take a deep look at how you spend your time. If you stay up until midnight watching television it’s hard to wake up early and work out. Make small shifts in your schedule so you aren’t creating goals you can’t stick to.
If you’re a night owl, you won’t all of a sudden start going to bed at eight. Shift your bedtime half an hour a week. Doing these small shifts could lead to an earlier wake-up and a morning workout or walk.
Working out doesn’t have to take hours out of your day. You may be surprised at how much time you actually have to fit a workout in. Use a running stroller to run with your kids. Do an online workout with ChiroThin while your child plays or between conference calls at home. Take a meeting on your phone while you get a walk-in.
4. Keep Your Goals Attainable
Setting too lofty of a goal could lead to feeling overwhelmed. When you feel overwhelmed, you’re far more likely to shut down. Set goals that you know you can achieve.
Trying to lose too much weight a month, could lead to unhealthy habits. It also isn’t sustainable. Keeping your goals manageable will help you stick to them. It won’t feel like a burden if your goal fits easily into your day-to-day life.
When you achieve your goals, it’s also a nice treat to set up weight loss goal rewards. These rewards can be something small that makes you feel good about achieving your goal. In addition to weight loss goals, you can also have goals for lowering your body mass index or lowering your blood pressure, for example.
5. Do What You Love
If you hate spin class, this isn’t a good fitness activity for you. If you set a goal of one spin class a week, you’ll dread going to the class. Instead, choose an activity you love.
When working out is something you love doing it won’t feel like a chore. Working out will be your favorite time of the day. If you love walking or running, make running a fitness goal.
Do what you love, and you may even find yourself going longer than your goal. Your fitness routine will soon become part of the fabric of your day. If you make working out too difficult, you’re far more likely to skip workout days.
How-To Set Realistic Weight Loss Goals
When it comes to weight loss goals, setting small, achievable goals is key. Make fitness and healthy eating a part of your daily life without changing your life completely. Simple goals such as cooking at home or walking each day could be easier to achieve than you may have thought.
Are you ready to get started on the path to a healthier you? Click here to find a ChiroThin doctor in your area.