The Importance of Getting a Realistic Weight Loss Plan That Fits Your Lifestyle

Oftentimes, first-time dieters will unknowingly set lofty weight loss goals for themselves that they will not be able to achieve. Then, when they notice that they are not achieving their impossible goal as quickly as they would have liked, they become discouraged. This leads to falling back into their old habits and erasing any progress they have made. It’s important to note that setting extreme goals is an easy way to set yourself up for disappointment and failure. Losing weight requires the right encouragement and positive reinforcement, and it needs to come from within. Remember, you can achieve your goal weight as long your goal is achievable. Your weight loss journey is about improving your overall health and quality of life. It’s not about putting unrealistic pressures on yourself.

Don’t Go Overboard

Instead of setting a goal to shed an unreasonable amount of weight and kill yourself at the gym, consider something more attainable. Losing as little as 10 pounds in four weeks can still do wonders in improving your blood pressure, cholesterol and, most importantly, your self-esteem. Seeing consistent progress little by little is certainly more encouraging than not achieving your excessive weight loss goals in an unrealistic amount of time.

To help keep you engaged and motivated while trying to meet your ultimate goal, set smaller goals for yourself that can help keep you in check and accountable. For example, instead of trying to go to the gym every day and starve yourself, instead, go three times a week and eat a salad and a light snack for lunch during the weekdays. This will make the weight loss process much more comfortable and certainly more achievable. Be sure to track your progress, and don’t be afraid to reward yourself along the way for striving to improve your eating and exercise habits.

Set Yourself Up for Success

If you are currently on a diet, take some time to consider your weight loss goals. Are they achievable? Or are you just setting yourself up for failure? Always remember that a weight loss plan is long term and that any immediate results mean nothing unless you are able to keep that weight off for good. It’s important to realize that healthy weight loss is a slow process and as long as you believe in yourself, you’ll be on the right path. Weight loss is also about being in the right mindset. For example, if your goal is to lose two pounds a week and you only lose one, isn’t that still better than putting on weight?

Create a reasonable plan for yourself and follow it. Weight loss can be difficult and if you find you are being discouraged, don’t be afraid to revise your original plan. This journey is about improving your health and improving your life, so it requires your complete buy-in.

Setting realistic goals will provide you with the reinforcement you need to help you not only achieve your ideal weight but feel good about it every step of the way.

We understand that making healthy choices can be hard, but our wellness coaches are here to help you when you need them. Here at Dr. G’s Weight Loss and Wellness, we can help you lose weight and maintain it. Our plans are flexible and easy! We are only 1 call away! 

Author

Dr. Charles Goldsmith Dr. Charles Goldsmith started his career as an OB/GYN over 30 years ago. He ran a successful practice but noticed his clients consistently requesting assistance with weight loss. After countless hours of research and studying the numerous aspects of weight loss, Dr. Goldsmith determined that weight loss is very complex and needed to be supervised by a physician.