The Missing Component to Your Fat Loss Program

Unfortunately, for many of those who are trying to lose weight they have difficulty accomplishing the task.  They often start out with good intentions but for whatever reason get derailed along the way.  After frustration sets in they quit and then a few months later they start all over again.  The process repeats.  Again and again and again. 

Why are some people successful at burning fat and losing weight while others have no success in their fat loss program.  I believe it all comes down to one missing ingredient for those who fail in their attempt to lose weight.  The one missing ingredient is the failure to set good goals.  Now before you discount this, read on and I will explain. 

Too many goals are vague.  In order for a goal to be successful it has to contain the following characteristics.

"I want to lose weight" is not a sufficient goal.  If you are going to be successful in losing weight and losing fat then you need to be specific.  How much weight to you want to lose?  What dress size do you want to wear?  How many inches do you want to lose off your waist?  What percentage body fat do you want to get down to?  A goal needs to be specific.  It also needs to be specific so that if can be measured.  The best way to measure your fat loss is to use body calipers or some other way to measure body fat.  You can use a scale but weight loss doesn't necessarily mean fat loss.  Depending on how you work out you might lose equal parts muscle and fat.  This will not alter your fat composition. 

You need to have goals that motivate you to action.  A goal to lose 2 pounds is not really going to motivate you to work out and alter your diet.  Think big and believe.  I have told my kids throughout their lives never to say "I can't."  If you have 70 pounds to lose to get down to your ideal weight, don't set a goal of 20 pounds.  Set the big goal of 70 pound loss and believe in yourself to achieve it.  Also don't let age get in the way.  You are never too old to hit your goals.  I have seen people of advanced years accomplishing great things.  Whenever I feel that I am trying to achieve something beyond me I think of people like Dick Hoyt who has raced with his son all around the country.  When I see examples like that I keep going.

You may set a goal of losing 30 pounds but it is unrealistic to assume that you are going to be able to accomplish that goal in one month unless you are extremely obese.  Don't compare yourself to the individuals who are on biggest loser who have 200 or more pounds to lose.  Their entire day exists of doing nothing but working out.  If you are like me you have a job.  You don't have 8 hours a day to workout. 

If you set goals that are unrealistic it will undercut your motivation and you will fail.  If you feel that you have no ability to reach your goals by the deadlines that you have set then you will quit.  You may have 30 pounds to lose ultimately but you need to break it down into more attainable chunks.  You long term goal is to lose 30 pounds in the next 9 months.  Your short term goal might be to lose 5 pounds in the next month.

I was listening to the tape of a goal setting workshop not too long ago and one of the things that struck is that you need to have good reasons for the goals that you are achieving.  Those reasons must motivate you.  If they do not motivate you then you will not work hard to achieve the goals.  You need to desire it in the pit of your gut.  Just thinking it would be a good idea to lose a few pounds is not enough to propel you to work hard.  I had an emotional reason a few years ago to lose about 25 pounds.  I had some blood work done and the doctor said my triglycerides were off of the chart.  It motivated me to get rid of the unwanted pounds.  Maybe for you it is an upcoming wedding or reunion or some other important date.  You need to have some reason that motivates you.