There are a few key steps to find and maintain focus on your weight loss goals.
1. The first step is to have a goal. You do have a weight loss goal, right? Or a goal weight you want achieve?
2. The second step is to break that goal down into manageable goals. For example, if your goal is to lose 40 pounds that may initially feel like a great goal.
However, in the day to day scheme of things it can be quite overwhelming. If you break that 40 pound goal down into a pound a week you know that within ten months you will have achieved success. And a pound a week is a very manageable goal.
3. The third step is to know how to achieve your goals – create a plan. For example, if you now know that you need to lose a pound a week that means reducing your daily calorie intake by 500 calories (500 calories by 7 days is 3500 calories, which equals a pound.)
Or you could increase your activity to burn an extra 500 calories each day. How you choose to achieve your goal is up to you. The point is that you must have a plan. A plan will help you stay focused.
4. The fourth step to maintain focus is to track your results. If you don’t track your steps and your achievements how will you know if you’re on track to achieve your goals?
Additionally, tracking your goals helps you stay motivated and focused. When you can look at your information and see that you’ve lost a pound a week consistently (and maybe more than a pound a few of those weeks!) then you’re motivated to keep going.
You can use any number of tools to track your success:
- Journal
- Spreadsheet
- Online programs
- Mobile device application
- Membership site, social networking, blog
The fifth and final step is to reward yourself for your success. Don’t wait for the big day when you’ve reached your goal weight to celebrate. Celebrate the smaller successes too! Share online with your friends, family and network. Treat yourself to a fun night out with friends. Buy new clothing – whatever makes you feel good.
Focus is about keeping your eye on your goal. Don’t lose sight of it!
