The Power Of Goal Setting For Weight Loss

How to use the power of goal setting to achieve your weight loss goals

Goal setting is an essential process in goal achievement; after all you can’t hit a target that isn’t there. Setting specific and measurable goals also speeds up the whole process, if you know exactly what you are aiming for, you likelihood of success is phenomenally increased. By taking the time to set your goals in a proven systematic you will benefit from the added powerful effect of your conscious and subconscious minds working in tandem to get you what you want.

It is unfathomable why everyone doesn’t take the time to set powerful written goals for themselves, the process is so simple and yet so powerful, something happens when you crystallize in your mind exactly what you are trying to achieve, as you are instantly set on an unstoppable course towards your ideal weight.
The are many different goal setting theories and systems around today, some more complex than others but essentially, the only framework you need to create an effective goal plan for yourself is based on the following four simple questions.

1. Where are you now?

You need to know where you are at the moment so you can see what you need to do or change in order to reach your goal. So to answer this question you just need to take some measurements and weight yourself, keep a record them so you can track your progress. Then look at your fitness, do you want to work on that? Look at the your eating habits by keeping a diet journal for a few days, think about what you need to change in terms of your eating behavior and the things you eat.

2. What do you want?

The more specific you can be about your goal the more likely you are to achieve it. It gives you something concrete something tangible to aim for which is more effective than a vague idea that you might like to be a bit healthier or slimmer. So be specific. The power of your subconscious mind really kicks in when it has precise instructions to follow.

What precisely do you want? What size clothes do you want to wear? What weight to you want to be? How fit do you want to be? (Do you want to run the marathon? Or simply be able to climb a flight of stairs without being out of breath?) What kind of relationship do you want to have with food? (eg. I want to eat only when physically hungry and stop eating when satisfied and be completely comfortable with this). Do you want more energy? Do you want to suffer less illness? Are there any niggling health problems you want to get rid of? Write down everything you want to be able to do, the way you want to feel, how you want to look when you have achieved your weight loss goal. Create a vivid picture of yourself at your ideal weight.

3. Why do you want it?

Having a compelling reason to achieve something will strengthen your motivation when the going gets tough.

List all the benefits you will get from achieving your ideal weight. Pinpoint what it is that is driving you to lose weight, is it your health, or having more energy to live your life, or being able to wear whatever clothes you want or are you looking forward the increased confidence or self esteem that comes from being thin. Make sure you know why you want to lose weight, if you just feel you should lose weight to conform to current social standards or because someone else thinks you should then you may not have the motivation to see it through.

4. How are you going to get it?

Now you simply need to write out a plan of how you are going to lose weight. Decide if you are going to follow a specific diet or construct your own healthy eating and exercise plan. Choose something that you can actually stick to. Have you got all the resources you need? Are their any potential pitfalls you can see coming? Its important to give yourself an achievable timeframe, planning to lose 40lbs in two weeks is counterproductive and will just serve to demotivate you, look at it as a long term project and perhaps break it down into manageable steps if you have a lot to lose.

Once you have your plan, look at it often, stick a weight loss chart up where you can see it, get out those jeans you want to fit into and put them in a prominent place so your goal is always on your mind. If you find your weight loss resolve flagging at any stage don’t turn to donuts, turn to your goal plan and you will succeed.