Losing weight is one of the most popular goals people tend to make each year, with very few people ever achieving their goals. Even worse is the fact that a sizeable percentage of people who manage to lose weight successfully gain it all back after a few months.
While there are many reasons why this happens, one of the most common is that most people jump right into weight loss without setting goals that will help them lose the weight and keep it off for good. And while this approach might seem like a good idea short term, taking time to set goals and write them down may actually help you find success in the long run.
So how do you set goals to lose weight and keep it off? Let’s find out!
Why is goal setting important for weight loss?
Take for instance, you wanted to go on a trip to a new location. You would set a destination first, use a map to identify a clear path to reach your destination before finally embarking on the trip. Right? Otherwise, you might make a couple of wrong turns along the way, go around in circles, or even get lost without getting to your destination.
The same thing can be said for weight loss. To lose weight for good, you need to set a goal. And no goals like “I want to lose weight” dont count. Instead, you need to set specific smart goals that are measurable and achievable within a stated period. You can say, for example, I want to lose 20kg in 6 months, exercise 5 times a week, or run for 30 minutes 3 times a week. Setting specific goals like this makes it easier to measure your progress, see what you’re doing right or wrong, and then recalculate the next steps toward achieving the goal.
What are SMART goals?
The dictionary defines a goal as a result, aim, or achievement towards which effort is directed. This means that anything you set your mind to and put in work to achieve is your goal. However, goals can be very broad sometimes without time limits making them difficult to achieve. Enter smart goals.
A smart goal is a goal that has attributes of the acronym SMART. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. This makes the goals more specific, measurable and sets a clear path and timeline to achieve them.
Let’s take a closer look at how this approach applies to weight loss.
Specific: When it comes to weight loss, setting specific goals is crucial. Vague goals like “I want to lose weight” won’t provide you with the direction you need. Instead, focus on defining the specifics of your goal. For instance, you can say, “I want to lose 10 kilograms in the next three months.” Being specific about the goal allows you to focus on it as a set end point, giving you the clarity you need to work to achieve it.
Measurable: Having measurable goals allows you to track your progress effectively. It’s important to have tangible metrics that you can use to gauge how well you’re doing. This also helps you stay motivated as you see your progress over time. For instance, say you set a specific goal to lose 10kg, like in the earlier example. You can measure your progress each week on a scale to see how far you’ve come. And if, for any reason, your progress is slower than expected, you can review what you’re doing, make some positive changes and measure the following week. You can keep doing this until you’re on track to achieve the goal within your set time frame.
Achievable: Setting achievable goals is essential to maintain motivation and prevent discouragement. Unrealistic goals can lead to frustration. When you set goals, make sure your goals are attainable based on your current lifestyle, commitments, and health status. For example, if you’ve never run for 5 miles at a stretch before, setting a goal like I will run 10 miles next week might be unrealistic and difficult to achieve. Instead, setting a goal like “I will walk for 30 minutes” or “I will gradually increase my daily step count by 1,000 steps each week until I’m consistently walking 10,000 steps a day” might be more achievable. This way, you can celebrate small wins along the way and keep your motivation up.
Relevant: Your goal should be relevant to your overall well-being and objectives. Setting goals that align with your lifestyle, preferences, and medical recommendations will ensure that you’re making meaningful progress. If your goal is to lose weight, setting a goal like “I want to learn guitar” might be irrelevant to your objectives at the moment. A more relevant goal would be something like “I will reduce my portion sizes and calorie intake by 300 calories” or “I will reduce my refined sugar intake and focus on consuming whole, nutrient-rich foods to support my weight loss journey.”
Timely: Time is everything when it comes to setting and hitting your goals. A goal without a timeframe might as well be a resolution. Setting a timeframe for your goals adds a sense of urgency and structure to your weight loss journey. It helps prevent procrastination and encourages consistent effort. Here’s an example of a timely goal; “I will fit into my favorite pair of jeans comfortably in time for a special event in 3 months.” Setting the goal this way keeps you focused until you achieve it. And even if you don’t, there’s a good chance you’ll come close as long as you put in the work.
How to set SMART Goals for weight loss?
Setting SMART goals for weight loss is a strategic approach that can significantly enhance your chances of success. Instead of focusing solely on the number on the scale, it’s important to address the behaviors that contribute to weight loss. This approach focuses on three key behaviors: sleep, diet, and exercise. Let’s explore how to set SMART goals for each of these behaviors:
1. Sleep: Adequate sleep plays a crucial role in weight loss and overall well-being. Poor sleep can lead to imbalances in hunger-regulating hormones, increased cravings, and reduced energy levels. To set a SMART goal for improving your sleep:
- Specific: Specify the aspect of sleep you want to improve. For instance, “I want to get 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.”
- Measurable: Use a watch or sleep tracker to monitor the duration and quality of your sleep each night.
- Achievable: Plan your daily schedule to allow for sufficient sleep, considering your responsibilities and commitments.
- Relevant: Adequate sleep is relevant to weight loss as it supports hormone regulation and energy levels.
- Timely: Set a time frame to achieve consistent sleep patterns, such as “I will establish a regular sleep routine within the next two weeks.”
2. Diet: Your dietary habits have a significant impact on weight loss. Instead of focusing solely on restrictive diets, aim to make sustainable, healthy choices. Here’s how to set SMART goals for your diet:
- Specific: Define the dietary changes you want to make. For example, “I will reduce my processed sugar intake and increase my vegetable consumption.”
- Measurable: Keep a food journal to track your daily food intake and monitor your progress.
- Achievable: Choose dietary changes that align with your preferences and can be sustained over time.
- Relevant: Your diet is directly relevant to weight loss and overall health.
- Timely: Set a timeline for achieving your dietary changes, such as “I will consistently follow this new eating pattern for the next three months.”
3. Exercise: Regular physical activity is essential for weight loss and overall fitness. Rather than setting unrealistic exercise goals, focus on gradual progress and consistency:
- Specific: Clearly define your exercise goal. For instance, “I will engage in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio exercise five times a week.”
- Measurable: Use a fitness tracker to monitor your exercise sessions and track your progress.
- Achievable: Choose exercises that match your current fitness level and gradually increase intensity over time.
- Relevant: Exercise supports weight loss by burning calories and improving metabolism.
- Timely: Set a timeline to achieve your exercise goal, such as “I will maintain this exercise routine for the next six months.”
Remember, the key to successful weight loss is consistency and gradual progress. By setting SMART goals for sleep, diet, and exercise, you’re focusing on behaviors that directly contribute to weight loss. As you make progress in these areas, you’ll likely see improvements in your weight loss journey and achieve lasting results. Additionally, periodically review and adjust your goals to accommodate any changes in your circumstances or progress.
How to track the progress of your weight loss goals
Tracking the progress of your weight loss goals is essential to stay motivated, as it helps you make necessary adjustments and celebrate small successes along the way. Here are some effective strategies for tracking your weight loss progress:
- Keep a Journal: Maintain a journal where you record your daily food intake, exercise routines, and any other relevant information. This helps you track your behaviors, identify patterns, and stay accountable to your goals. You can also jot down your thoughts and feelings, which can provide valuable insights into your progress.
- Use a Digital App or Tracker: There are numerous apps and digital tools available that can help you track your weight loss journey. These apps allow you to log your meals, exercise sessions, and even your weight. Many of them provide visual representations of your progress, making it easier to see how far you’ve come.
- Take Regular Measurements: In addition to tracking your weight, consider taking measurements of your body, such as waist circumference, hip circumference, and even progress photos. Sometimes the scale might not show immediate changes, but your measurements and photos can reveal the positive effects of your efforts.
- Set Milestones: Break your long-term weight loss goal into smaller milestones. Celebrate each milestone you achieve, whether it’s losing a certain number of pounds, running a longer distance, or fitting into a smaller clothing size. Recognizing these smaller achievements can boost your motivation and sense of accomplishment.
- Weigh Yourself Consistently: While it’s important not to obsess over the number on the scale, regular weigh-ins can provide valuable feedback on your progress. Choose a consistent time and day to weigh yourself, such as once a week. Keep in mind that weight can fluctuate due to various factors, so focus on the overall trend rather than daily fluctuations.
- Track Fitness Performance: When incorporating exercise into your weight loss plan, keep track of your fitness performance. This could include improvements in running times, increased weight lifted, or the number of repetitions you can perform. Seeing these improvements can be motivating and a sign of progress.
- Reflect on Non-Scale Victories: Weight loss isn’t just about the number on the scale. Reflect on the non-scale victories you experience, such as having more energy, sleeping better, feeling stronger, or noticing that your clothes fit better. These positive changes can be even more meaningful indicators of your progress.
- Stay Flexible: If you experience a setback, don’t be discouraged. Use it as an opportunity to learn and adjust your approach if needed.
While tracking the progress of your weight loss goals is a crucial aspect of your journey to success, remember that progress isn’t always linear, and setbacks are a natural part of any journey. The key is to stay consistent, stay patient, and remember that achieving sustainable weight loss is a gradual process that involves both setbacks and victories.