Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Reach Your Weight Loss Goals - Four Steps to a Fit New You in 2007 - Dean Carlson
2007 is upon us, and many of us are looking for a new beginning as well. Many of us use the new year as an impetus to get off the couch and back into the gym - or at least that is our intent.
But we've been down this road before - All gung-ho in January, and back in front of the tube by the middle of February, with our goals all but forgotten.
How do we maintain that drive and keep on keeping on until our goal is reached? Do these four steps - yes I said do, not try - and you will succeed.
1. Write your goals down
This is an absolute must. If you don't put your goals on paper they are just a vague idea, and it is impossible to be accountable to vague ideas. In fact, don't write down vague ideas either. There is a huge difference between "I want to lose weight", and "I want to weigh 125 pounds by August 1, 2007".
Most of us have heard of SMART goals:
Specific
Measurable
Action plan organized
Realistic Timed
Is your goal setting SMART?
2. Review your goals daily
Look at your goals every day. This is a big one for me. When I do this, I succeed. When I don't, I fall behind. Most of us are very good at two things - procrastinating and making excuses. If your goals are staring you in the face EVERY day, it is much harder to ignore them or put them off. I guarantee that if you look at your goals first thing in the morning, you will be motivated to work on them, and when you work on them, you can achieve them!
3. Measure your progress weekly
How will you know if you are reaching your goals? Part of the goal achieving process should include checkpoints; weekly "sub-goals" that will ensure you are on the right track. For example, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds of bodyfat in 10 weeks, you are going to have to average 1 pound of fatloss a week to reach that goal. If you have only lost 3 pounds after 5 weeks, you are going to have to either change your fat loss plan, because it is not giving you the results you wanted or:
4. Adjust your goals as necessary
This really is key to achieving the results we want. Why? Because sometimes life just gets in the way, and we don't make progress as fast as we want. What will 90% of people do when things aren't going their way? Give up! That's right, they will decide that if after all the sacrifice and hard work they aren't making fast enough progress, then just forget it!
But wait a second, what is that going to accomplish? So what if you only lost 6 pounds in 10 weeks, you still look and feel better, don't you? So just adjust the goal and keep working on those last 4 pounds. You are planning on being around for the next 6 weeks aren't you? Would you rather be 4 pounds lighter or back to where you started (or worse)?
One of my favorite quotes is this one from Bear Bryant "Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don't quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don't quit until you reach it. Never quit."
Write, Review, Measure, and Adjust - Four steps to a fit new you in 2007!
About Dean: Fed up with the way he looked and felt, Dean Carlson decided enough was enough. After wading through the conflicting diet and fitness information, and through much trial and error, he found himself 80 pounds lighter and with a new outlook on life. His desire to help other people get healthy and fit without going it alone led him to start Cr8 Health & Fitness, where he shares his knowledge and passion for fitness with others looking to get off the diet roller coaster.
Dean is a Certified Professional Fitness Trainer with the National Exercise and Sports Trainer Association.
Website: http://www.cr8health.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Carlson
