Understanding Realistic Weight Loss Goals
If your weight loss goal is unrealistic, you won’t be able to achieve it. Chances are, you could become demoralized and even backslide by putting on more weight.
Realistic goals are those that you can achieve, provided you take the right action and have the right expectations. As long as your goal is realistic and you are working toward it, you will see progress. Noticing your progress will keep you motivated.
Frequently, unrealistic weight loss goals do not take into account how long it takes to lose weight. Expecting to lose 10 pounds in a week is not realistic because most people can lose no more than 2 pounds a week, for instance.
Another example of a fitness goal that isn’t realistic is reaching a particular goal weight, such as 150 pounds. Numeric weight loss goals tend to be vague. To make a vague goal into a realistic goal, think about how you will get there and how long it will take, based on the 2 pounds per week figure. Consider what steps you will take to encourage weight loss, then commit to a plan of action. [Read more]