If you want to lose weight, setting goals is a great way to help. Goals can keep you on track and they can motivate you when the going gets tough. Mini-goals can be especially helpful if you set them and reward yourself wisely each time a milestone is attained. The problem comes in when goal-setting isn’t realistic.
Yes, it’s true. There is a right way to set goals and a wrong one. This is especially so if weight loss is the motivation for goal setting in the first place.
Exploring The Wrong Way
All too often, people forget that it took more than a few days to gain their weight in the first place. It simply can take time to shed it. This is absolutely so if losing weight and maintaining health are both desired. Goals and actions that are unrealistic can foster weight loss, but at the price of health. Plus, they can sometimes cause a loss of weight that’s only temporary. In fact, many people who proceed with unrealistic weight loss measures often gain back their weight rather quickly and add a few pounds to boot.
Here are some examples of unrealistic goals that can backfire:
• Working out too much – Exercise is critical for weight loss success, but too much working out can actually be counterproductive. Some people dive in with both feet but don’t temper their enthusiasm with good common sense. It’s simply not a good idea to work out seven days a week for more than an hour at a time.
• Eating wrong – A lot of people opt for diets that simply will not work for the long haul. Starve yourself and you might lose some weight on the front end, but you’ll harm your body nutritionally. Plus, you will very likely see every pound lost regained rather rapidly.
When goals are unrealistic and the tools used to attain them are wrong, the body will suffer. There are better ways to go about enjoying healthy, long-lasting weight loss.
The Right Way To Do It
Now there are some great ways to lose weight and set goals that will truly motivate. If you want to stay on track, try shooting for:
An attainable exercise plan – It’s a lot more effective to shoot for a good workout every other day. Stick to a plan that calls for 30 to 60 minutes of exercise at a time. This will help prevent injuries and it can also assist with keeping motivation levels high.
• Eating wisely – Rather than starve your body by eating less than 1,200 calories a day, opt for a healthier routine that truly nourishes the body. The key to smart, healthy weight loss lies in eating enough to maintain health without eating so much you gain weight in the process. Select whole foods, such as grains, low-fat dairy, lean protein and fresh fruits and vegetables.
When it’s time to set weight loss goals, opt for healthy choices. Work with a qualified personal trainer or other fitness professional to pinpoint goals that make sense for you.