How to set a weight loss goal!

Goals. Everyone who has ever started a weight loss journey has had a goal. Lose 20lbs, get rid of this flabby arm fat, fit into a dress for a wedding, etc. As a former strength coach and current personal trainer I’ve heard all different types of answers, and there’s nothing wrong with any of them. Everyone who starts out a journey of health and wellness should have a goal. In my experience, it’s almost always a weight loss goal. I have yet to encounter someone who said, “I want to increase my level of fitness because I want to live long and avoid cancers” (still hoping I do). 

Either way, let’s get to the point of this blog post- setting a weight loss goal. For most it’s going to be a number, so let’s start there. Pick a number, or a certain metric that you want to attain. Make sure it’s as specific as you can get it (i.e. I want to lose 10 inches off my waist while at the same time adding 5lbs of muscle to my legs and slimming down my arm fat).   

Now, the second step is to make sure you start measuring your progress. As soon as you set that goal and start that weight loss journey you have to make sure you have a way of tracking your metric. You can’t say you want to lose 15 lbs and not have a scale. Once that way of tracking your goal is picked you have to set days and times to measure and record your progress (i.e. every Tuesday at 8am I will measure the circumference of my waist). I personally like to measure progress every couple of weeks because as a former weight class athlete I know the mental strain and bad habits one can get used to when they constantly check their weight or whatever it may be.  

Third, make sure you have an attainable goal (you’re not going to lose 50 lbs in 4 weeks) with a set end date to measure your final progress. Lots of times people do have a certain time set for this goal to be achieved, but every now and then you’ll come across someone who doesn’t- don’t be that person, have a date in mind! 

Lastly, and most important in my opinion, is to make sure that at the end of the journey, whether you hit your goal or not, is to continue to exercise and stay in shape. Sometimes goals don’t come in the timeframe you set, but that doesn’t mean they won’t come at all. By constantly staying active and exercising you can achieve those goals and just remain a healthy human being throughout your life. 

If this blog post helped you, or you have other topics you would like discussed, please leave a comment in the chat section and let me know!