How to Set Realistic Weight Loss Goals

You get excited to eat healthy and exercise every day and do so for a few weeks or months. Then, you weigh in and find out that you’re not making as much progress as you thought you did. So, what do you do? Unfortunately, many people in this situation simply quit. They aren’t seeing their ideal results so they give up and go back to square one. The key to losing weight is setting realistic weight loss goals. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

Think Short Term

If you tell yourself that you want to lose 30 pounds by your friend’s wedding 9 months from now, you may feel overwhelmed. After all, that’s a lot to lose. But, if you break it down and set a goal of losing 5 to 10 pounds over the next few months, you’re more likely to stay motivated and keep at your weight loss efforts.

Don’t Ignore Your Diet

It’s unrealistic for you to lose weight if you continue to eat whatever you want. Remember that you can’t outrun a bad diet so it’s crucial to be mindful about what you’re putting in your body. Do your best to eat plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains and treat yourself every once in a while with a chocolate cookie or anything else you love.

Track Your Successes

Every time you succeed in your weight loss journey, write down your successes. It’s a good idea to keep a journal of your successes so that you can turn to it any time you’re feeling unmotivated or frustrated about your progress.

Understand Consistency is Key

Losing weight takes time and a whole lot of consistency. Therefore, you can’t expect to see instant results, especially if you only workout and eat healthy whenever you feel like it. The more consistent you are with your weight loss plan, the faster (and better) results you’ll see.

Focus on Your Own Body and Lifestyle

While your friend may have lost a lot of weight because she eliminated all carbs and sweets from her diet, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the same results as her. Getting rid of all carbs and sweets may not be realistic for your lifestyle and you may not be able to lose the exact amount of weight your friend did. Focus on your own body and lifestyle and set goals that are realistic for you, not somebody else.

Contact Total HealthcareMD

For more information on how to set realistic weight loss goals, call Total HealthcareMD at (919) 436-3777. We’ll be more than happy to design a customized weight loss plan for your unique situation.