You might ask “What has setting goals got to do with weight loss?” Most successful people invariably set goals to get their best results. Like mapping out a path to achieve an end result. We all need goals in our lives. This article is going to focus on why setting goals is so important to give you something to aim for in life and why there is no difference in your desire to achieving weight loss. You should also find answers to such questions – Do you know what you want? Are you heading in the right direction?

1) Weight Loss Goals

By setting weight loss goals you are more likely to achieve the best results. Be careful to set realistic goals otherwise you could be setting yourself up for bitter disappoint and achieving nothing as a result. Remember how long it took you to gain the weight! To make your goal achievable you need to look at losing weight over a longer period rather than believing that you can lose 16 or 18 pounds in a couple of weeks. While this might be possible for some it certainly is a lot harder to achieve than to lose the weight over several months.

2) Using Multiple Weight Loss Goals

Set yourself a long term goal for weight loss and include some short term goals to lose smaller amounts of weight within certain periods over that time, like mini goals. As you achieve your short term goals along the way that will drive you more towards your long term goal. Seeing the small amounts of weight loss and burning fat along with the improvements that accompany the weight and fat loss you will not only visualize yourself being at an optimum weight but you will also begin to believe you can achieve your long term goal.

3) Why I need Multiple Goals

When we talk about these short term goals you need to understand that you shouldn’t be weighing yourself every day as your body weight will fluctuate from one day to the next. We want to burn fat not muscle for which will take a little more than a day to see results. So your short term goals should cover no less than 2 weeks in duration. This will give you ample opportunity to make adjustments or changes to your goals to help your body adjust to the changes it is experiencing also.

4) Put Your Goals on Paper

It is very important to write your goals on paper and keep them close by. Putting your goals on paper cements the idea but leave room to adjust your goals particularly the short term goals. Keeping a diary helps to enforce your actions that are needed to meet those goals when losing weight. Make your diary entries on a daily basis and include entries of what you eat and any supplements you take as well as the results you have been achieving from these actions. Enter your starting weight and record your weight at set intervals. Try to weigh yourself at the same time of day each time. Your diary can help you readjust your goals and make necessary changes to your fitness and nutrition levels as things adjust in the course of your weight loss program.