How To Properly Plan For Successful Weight Loss

March 27th, 2007

How To Properly Plan For Successful Weight Loss

Author: Jim O’Neill

Before taking actions in any problem we encounter, there should
always be a plan first. That is, if we want to come up with
positive results. You wouldn’t want to enter a battle without
preparing how to defeat the enemy, would you? Attempting a task
without planning is like building a house without a blueprint or
playing against a basketball team without planed plays with your
teammates. How could you expect a good outcome?

Weight loss is not at all different from the above mentioned
plan-necessary situations. It also involves taking actions in
proper ways that need to be perfectly planned in order to bring
satisfying results. Here are the four key elements you will for
making your weight loss plan a success.

Setting a Goal:

Okay, so your weight is somewhere around 20% above the
considered normal for your height. You tend to eat more than 5
regular meals a day. You’re certain that you’re obese or at
least overweight. Now, the question is, where do you want your
weight to be?

Setting a goal is the first step in planning for weightn loss.
Know what you want to accomplish. This way, the road you are
taking is clear. You can keep track of your journey and whether
or not you are going along in the right direction. With a goal
in mind, you are always motivated to finish a task, or in some
cases, to start doing it.

Be Definite:

Setting a specific goal when planning for weight loss improves
your chances of success. You just need to be clear and definite
with what you want to happen. Vague aims such as ‘I’d like to be
healthier’ or ‘I need to lose a few pounds’ tend to produce
half-hearted efforts and poor results. Instead, state your goal
distinctly: ‘I want to lose 1 to 2 pounds this week and every
week’ or ‘I want to trim my waist line from 40″ down to 38″ by
the end of the month’. If you need to, write it down and put it
where you will always see and read it. This way, you’ll always
be reminded of what you want and need to accomplish by the end
of the month, the week or even the day.

Be Realistic:

In establishing a definite weight loss goal, make sure that it
is possible to accomplish first. How can a goal like ‘I’ll lose
15 lbs. in just a week’ happen if all of the evidence presented
by research suggests that you should only burn 1 to 2 lbs in a
week? Goals need to be sensible so that they are within reason
to be able to obtain. What happens when you set a goal and
don’t reach it no matter how hard you tried because it wasn’t
really achievable? You will only get depressed and disappointed
which are two of the psychological causes of obesity. And the
problem just becomes a vicious cycle with no end to it.

Strategizing:

After carefully defining a goal of what you want to achieve
with your weight loss efforts and keeping it in mind, the next
step is planning on how to accomplish it. Planning involves
proper scheduling of activities to be done throughout the whole
day for a certain period of time including exercises, meals,
sleeping and waking. It comprises of the time these activities
should be done, the duration and in the case of eating meals,
the food to be consumed and what amounts. This way,
inappropriate spur-of-the-moments decisions can be avoided.

A proper and effective weight loss plan consists of quality
time for performing such activities. That is, allow enough time
to meet the objectives correctly. For example, sleep should be
scheduled to last for around 7 to 8 hours a day so that you’ll
be able to get enough rest. Lack of sleep may cause improper
eating habits the next day.Again, plans should be relatively
realistic. Include only time and activities you know for
yourself you can accomplish for a given period of time.

Also, as you finish preparing your weight loss plan, you might
want to write it down since you can’t always remember when
you’re supposed to do each part of the plan. Post it in a place
where you can always see and read it to remind you what your
plans are for the day. Try your best not to skip anything in
your scheduled plan so as not to ruin the effectivness of it.

About The Author: Jim O’Neill gives you tons of valuable
information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and
nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle.
Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at:
http://www.mrgymfitness.com/minicourse.php

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