Setting weight loss goals that focus on reaching your ideal weight, bodyfat percentage, pant size, waist size, or dress size by a certain date is a good way to stay motivated with healthy eating habits and regular exercise. The problem when your weight goals are too rigid or you are too focused on long term weight goals is that you set yourself up for failure and a lifetime of weight rebounding. The best way to set weight loss goals is all about focusing on short term as well as flexible goals.
Set Short Term Weight Loss Goals - Setting short term weekly goals such as 80% healthy meals per week, 5-6 challenging fatloss workouts per week, or 5-10 servings of veggies and fruits per day is a much better strategy than just focusing on weight because it's the little things you do each day that get you to your ultimate weight loss goal (long term goal).
Set Smaller Weight Loss Goals - Setting one permanent weight loss goal is what most people do and is also the reason most people fail to reach their goal weight. Not only is focusing on your end goal overwhelming, it also keeps you focused on the wrong things i.e. weighing yourself daily. Instead of one big weight loss goal try setting smaller weight loss goals such as:
lose 8 pounds every 8 weeks
lose 10% of your weight every 4-6 weeks
lose 5 pounds every 2-3 weeks
(You can then use these smaller victories to fuel motivation and overcome setbacks!)
I teach this method to all my successful losers whether they lose 15 lb. or 50 lb. and they love the flexibility and the feeling of freedom to gain or lose a few pounds without having it be a big deal. Two female clients that I train both in their fifties set the same range for themselves from 140 lb. to 148 lb. When they are at their low end they know they are exercising and eating as healthy as they possibly can. When they are near or at their end range they know they need to make some adjustments before they spill over into weight gain rebounding mode.
If you are a more fit individual you can either narrow down that range (i.e. 118 lb. to 122 lb.) which does a great job of keeping you right in between 90% of the time or do what many fitness experts do and set a bodyfat range instead of a weight range.
Keep the weight off by trying new healthy recipes and new fat burning workouts each month. Get started with a fitness dvd kit with progressively challenging workouts like The Firm Express DVD Kit: Lose 15 Pounds in 30 Days (Includes 13 DVDS)
