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Goal Setting for Successful Weight Loss

Would you drive on a journey with no idea of where you are going? No - well it is the same when you are starting an exercise programme or weight loss plan with no goal, or no idea of where you would like it to go. In both circumstances you are setting yourself up for a failure. Setting goals is easy to do, however in order for them to work for you rather than against you, you need to know how to set your goals realistically.

There are both long-term and short-term goals that should be set. If you are going to start an exercise programme you need direction, you need an idea of the effects you would like to see. For example; "I would like to lose half a stone, be a dress size smaller, feel fitter and have more confidence." Knowing what direction you want your exercise programme to go helps you focus your mental energy into finding a path towards your goal.

Once you have established a direction it is a wise decision to make two sets of goals, both long-term and short-term. Let's say that instead of losing half a stone, you had a goal to go walking 5 times a week for 30 minutes. This short-term goal will help to achieve your loss of half a stone. A long-term goal should be what you currently perceive the end product to be. If the end vision is being a size 12 with the confidence to wear a bikini on your honeymoon, then you should make that your long-term goal.

Once you have set some goals it is important to give them a realistic time limit. Losing half a stone safely can take up to 7 weeks or more. If you do not know what a realistic time is for a long-term goal talking to a professional is a great idea. Find someone who has a lot of experience in the area that you have your goals set and seek their advice, you can always email the Slimfit Q&A Team who are here to help you: info@slimfit.co.uk. Tell them your plans and ask their opinion of what they perceive to be realistic. Once you have found out what is realistic it is time to do some good old fashioned writing.

Write a detailed description of the direction you have decided to go, and also tell why you have selected it. After you have your direction down select what your long-term goals are going to be. Again explain why you have selected these goals. Once this is completed decide what your short-term goals are. It is important to keep in mind that your short-term goals are stepping stones to get to your long-term goals. Jumping across a vast lake is only possible with stepping-stones, otherwise you are sure to sink.

The real test is going to be whether or not you have the willingness to do what it takes to accomplish your goals, but without goals there is nothing to accomplish. What it all boils down to is you. Goals are a great way to set a map to where you want to go. Once they are set it is up to you to make the distance!

Goal setting and personal advice are all part of Slimfit's eight-week one-to-one weight loss programme, visit http://slimfit.co.uk for details.

Article kindly provided by those nice people at www.slimfit.uk2k.com. - Click here to visit their site