How to Set Weight Loss Goals

Before you change your lifestyle you need to set realistic goals, have realistic expectations and devise a master a plan for action: you can't just wake up every morning and react to what happens. At the Wesley Weight Management Clinic we recommend that people set SMART goals; goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely:

Specific

- What do you want to achieve?
- What would you like to change or improve on?
- Why do you want to reach your goal weight?
- What aspects of your lifestyle do you need to change to lose weight?
- Are there any habits that are holding you back?

Measurable

Set goals for the number of:

- Hours that you will sleep each night
- Litres of water that you will drink every day
- Minutes of exercise that you will do every week
- Healthy meals that you plan to cook / not skip.

Attainable

Allocate sufficient energy, time and effort for your goals. And make them flexible and realistic. For example, to achieve your exercise goals when you are busy you may have to shorten your exercise sessions or focus on incidental (non-planned) activity such as walking.

Realistic

Accept your body's natural ability to lose weight - otherwise you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Many people find it difficult to lose more than half a kilogram per week.

Make your goals achievable and if you succeed sooner than anticipated it will increase your confidence. Expecting that you will be ready to run a marathon the year after your first personal training session can be soul destroying!

Timely

Give yourself ample time to achieve your goals. When people place too much pressure on themselves to lose a particular amount of weight it can lead to anxiety. Or when they progress too quickly with exercise they suffer injuries.

Don't forget that weight loss is a marathon not a sprint. It takes time and perseverance to change ingrained habits, but with hard work, dedication and professional weight loss support you'll achieve your goals.