Perhaps you can relate to this.
You want to lose weight, and after several failed attempts, you decide to try one more time. Full of motivation, you head back to the gym, start eating healthy, and go to bed early. This time it will work, right?
The mistake that many people make
But wait a second. You’re missing an important step, one that greatly increases the chance you will succeed this time.
A mistake many people make is starting their weight loss journey without having a clear goal in mind. Think of it like getting into a car without setting your navigation. If you are not clear about where you want to go, the chance that you reach your desired destination becomes very small. So make sure you know what your goal is and how you’re going to get there before you start.
Start with a clear goal
If you want to lose weight, ask yourself why you want this. Is it because you want to feel fitter? or because you want to fit into your favorite jeans again? Do you think other people will like you more if you are slimmer? Is it because you want to get rid of those knee pains you have been dealing with?
What is your “why”?
The “why” question is something many people underestimate. Often, people think that losing weight is the ultimate goal. That once they reach it, they’ll be happy. But in reality, losing weight is just a method to achieve something else.
Weightloss is never the goal.
No one loses weight simply because they like seeing a lower number on the scale. They do it because that number represents a certain feeling. Watching the number go down confirms that you’re moving closer to what you truly want.
By answering the “why” question, you make your goal clear.
If you want to lose weight, make sure you know what you’re doing it for. When you imagine reaching your goal, does it put a smile on your face? If the answer is “no,” then it’s not the right goal. Choose something that truly matters to you. You’re doing this for yourself, not for anyone else.
Why having a strong goal is important.
But why is having a clear goal so important?
Most people don’t reach their target weight within a week, it can take months. During that time, you will definitely face setbacks and moments of low motivation. In those moments, having a strong, meaningful goal makes all the difference.
If you truly want to achieve your goal, it will push you to keep going. But if your goal isn’t clear, or doesn’t mean enough to you, you are far more likely to stay lying on the couch with a bag of chips or chocolates, instead of going to the gym or making time to cook a healthy meal for yourself.
So make sure you have a goal that really matters to you. Write it down on a sticky note and put it somewhere where you will see it everyday. on your mirror, in the kitchen, on your TV, even in the bathroom, so you’re constantly reminded of what you’re working toward.
Do you want to lose weight? Go for it. But before you rush off to the gym, take a moment to think. Is your goal clear? And will achieving it truly make you happy? If the answer is yes, then you’re already 1–0 ahead before you’ve even started.