Weight loss goal setting

[Kyra]

I don’t want to sound stupid, but what is weight loss goal setting? Isn’t it just deciding what you want your weight to be when you’re all done? Why is that such an intense process for so many people that takes steps and things? I don’t get it.

[bhollytba]

I think it's more than that. If you have a vague goal like "I want to lose 30 pounds" it won't get done because it isn't defined. For example if you don't give yourself a time limit, you could be wishing to lose that 30 pounds indefinitely because you might keep putting it off ("I'll start tomorrow..."). Any goal needs to be defined in order for it to be achieved, i.e. "I want to lose 30 pounds by July 1st of next year" is a more defined and therefore more likely to be fulfilled goal.

Steps need to be laid out to keep you on track. I know that I personally will put it off until it can't be done. If I don't say "I need to lose one pound every week in order to lose 30 pounds by July 1st" then I'll put off until the next week, and then the next week, and so on until it's impossible to reach the goal. A lot of people do this and then as a result give up on the July 1st deadline and go back to delaying.

Well laid plans with daily goals that keep you in check are considerably more likely to be realized. I know how many calories I can eat every day to stick to my plan, so I know I'll make my deadline. It's not just an arbitrary figure. That's why people spend so long planning their steps, success is much easier to obtain one determined bite at a time.

[tara]

I agree, bhollytba! It's not just straight forward like with one single number, so you don't have to feel embarrassed at all Kyra.

I tend to think of goal setting for weight loss as more than a measure of weight, too. I also measure in size and body mass (BMI). Lately, I've even added my blood pressure to my overall goal setting practice since I've noticed it going down since I've been losing weight.