Wellness Positive

  To achieve your weight loss goals you have to get yourself in an optimal mind set and re-work your self image so that you look at things positively and with confidence, and go about your weight-loss program with dedication - all this will help you on the road to success.

  Setting the RIGHT weight-loss goals for yourself can often make all the difference. Make sure that your goals are..

• Realistic
• Positive
• Clear & Action-oriented Goals

Now let us discuss each of the above points..

1) SET REALISTIC GOALS FOR YOURSELF:

  First of all, your weight-loss goals MUST be realistic and achievable. Try not to set difficult to reach goals for yourself, as in 'I will lose 20 lbs. this month,' for example.

  Extreme goals are dangerous whether they are included in your diet or exercise program.. Setting over enthusiastic goals where your exercise program is concerned can result in injury to yourself (and a complete derailing of your entire exercise program) - It may also result in your feeling extremely tired and sluggish throughout the day. Intensive dieting and skipping meals can be very dangerous to your health, and indeed, is not as successful as a slow but sure reduction in calories. If you go for a slow but sure diet, the weight STAYS off, while with an intensive or 'starvation' diet, the weight comes right back the moment the diet is discontinued.

2) MAKE SURE YOUR GOALS ARE POSITIVE:

  When you set your goals, they should always be set in a positive context. Don't use negatives such as 'not', when you phrase or define your goals. So, instead of saying 'I will not be lazy this week,' say 'I am going to exercise regularly this week and be more active.' Or, instead of saying 'I will not binge on rich food this week,' say, 'I am going to eat a well balanced and nutritious diet this week'.

  How you phrase your goals influences how you think and how you think defines what you ARE, so avoid the negative. Don't focus on what you shouldn't, mustn't, or won't do - instead focus on the positive and what you CAN and what you WILL do. Think positive and you will help yourself BELIEVE in your goals and that faith in yourself can help you move mountains.. or lose weight  :)

3) SET CLEAR, PRECISE GOALS THAT FOCUS ON ACTION:

  Be very precise when you set your weight loss and fitness goals. Don't be vague - don't say 'I must take in more fiber,' instead say, for example, 'I will have a lot of vegetables followed by some fruit for my afternoon meals everyday.'

  Similarly, instead of saying, 'I will be more active next week,' define JUST HOW you are going to be more active - for example, say 'I am going to walk for ten minutes three times a day on four days a week, and exercise with weights on two days of the week, etc..'

  Being very precise in your goals brings them down to the level of everyday life. Concentrate on setting goals that are so clear and well defined that they easily translate into action. When setting goals for the future, think of how you are going to ACT during that time, not on what you WANT or desire. Concentrate on action, and you will find that it is action that gives RESULTS.

ON DEDICATION:

  Go by the old adage, 'Slow but Sure' - it works. Don't rely on your will alone to carry you through; instead break up your ultimate goal into pieces that you can handle.

  Instead of saying 'I will walk for an hour everyday, starting right now', say..  'I will begin walking today and slowly work up to walking half an hour everyday over the next fifteen days, and in the fifteen days after that, I will work that up to one hour a day.'

  Planning carefully exactly how you are going to achieve your goal, and making sure your efforts increase gradually (instead of all at once) will help you be more dedicated.

  Don't rely on the will - the will is NOT enough. Concentrate on breaking your ultimate goal up into smaller and easier to reach chunks that you can handle..  and as you reach each way point, your confidence will increase making the NEXT way point that much easier to reach as well.

  A well planned, slow and sure weight loss program is far easier to keep up with dedication and motivation than any program that places an immense strain on your mind and body and relies on the will alone to see it through.