What Weight Loss Goals are Best?

Knowing the best type of weight loss goals to aim for is crucial in maintaining your motivation to reduce weight.

Not Just a Matter of Losing Weight

It's great to step on your bathroom scales and discover you've lost weight, but weight reduction isn't the only target to aim for. In my experience, the most successful dieters are those people who have a variety of different goals.

Weight Loss Goals Should be: Specific, Realistic and Forgiving

For example, "take regular exercise" is a great objective, but it's not specific enough. Better is "Walk four miles every day." Then again, this may not be realistic if you are unfit or if you can't gauge distance. In such cases "walk for 30 minutes every day" is more realistic. But if your work schedule or the weather is too erratic to permit a daily walk, be more forgiving and aim for "30 minutes of walking for 5 days a week". This is specific, realistic and allows you two days off.

Nothing Succeeds Like Success

Before you start a weight loss program, take a few body-measurements. Measure your bust, waist, hips, thighs and upper arms. Keep a note and re-check your measurements every couple of weeks. Being able to see improvements in body shape, as well as weight, can be a useful extra boost if weight loss slows.

Short-Term Incremental Goals are Best For Weight Loss

Olympic athletes are among the world's most motivated people. They typically measure their progress in incremental stages, rather than big leaps. Apply this principle to your weight reduction campaign.