Setting Realistic Goals to Lose Weight for Good

If you ask most successful people what they did to get there, you will quickly see a pattern; they set a goal, wrote it down and did everything they could to achieve that goal. It really doesn't matter where you apply this principle because once you have a goal set, it gives you the ability to create a plan of action to get to that goal. Without a goal, you are just a blind person going with the wind having no direction and that is not how you get results. To get to where you want to be, you need to answer two questions: what is my final destination (goal)? And how do I get to that destination? (plan of action). I used this same thought process to lose over 70lbs 3 years ago, so with that said here are the steps that can help make your weight loss "dream" a reality.

1. Define as specifically as possible what your long term weight loss goal is.
2. Write it down and put it somewhere you can see daily as a reminder.
3. Next, visualize yourself at that weight.
4. Now work backwards by focusing on how you will be able to reach your goal. Brainstorm and use your resources e.g. your previous diet experiences, the internet, weight loss forums etc to come up with realistic ways to get to this goal. Make sure you write them down.
5. Set small attainable goals which will help you get closer to your long term goal e.g. 1- 2lbs/week as opposed to 5lbs/week.
6. Have milestones and reward yourself each time you achieve one of them. For example, when I lost 20lbs I splurged on a high end foundation I always wanted to have, when I was down another 20lbs I treated myself to a day at the spa etc you get the idea. This will help you stay focused and motivated.
7. You have to handle your weight loss strategically and to do that you have to be aware, observant and write everything down. Journaling is not my thing but I quickly realized that I couldn't rely solely on my memory when it came to healthy eating. It is important to keep track of your progress, to see why you did well one month as opposed to another, that way you can quickly see what doesn't work or what works, and adjust accordingly.
8. Set a check-in date on your calendar to see how you are doing. For me, I weighed myself every Monday usually in the morning before I ate anything, I also set a date each month when I would go through my journal and check-in on my progress. (That is actually how I noticed spiking up your metabolism is one of the best kept secrets in weight loss... check it out on my blog). It is all about finding the formula that will work best for YOU.
9. Once you've made your decision and set your goal, GET ON WITH IT & TAKE ACTION, NOW!.