4 Ways to Set Realistic Weight-Loss Goals

Millions of people struggle with their weight every day. In the United States alone, it’s estimated that over half of the adult population is overweight, with a substantial portion of that number falling within the range of “obese” BMIs. Consequently, much of the Western world is facing an obesity epidemic. However, even if you’re not obese, you may want to lose a few pounds for health or personal reasons.

While losing weight in and of itself is difficult, it’s even more difficult setting realistic goals. Some people are simply not built to have tiny waists or washboard abs. Additionally, your lifestyle might make it difficult to stick with a diet and exercise regimen that lasts. So, in today’s post, we are going to look at 4 ways to help you set realistic weight-loss goals — and stick to them!

Track Changes in Your Weight Over Time

Setting weight-loss goals requires you to understand your body and how it has changed over time. You may have been at your target weight a decade ago, but since then, various life events and changes in your lifestyle have caused your weight to fluctuate. Even though you may have to think back about different parts of your life, do your best to examine changes that led to weight loss and weight gain. In doing so, you can better understand the kind of activities, diet, and lifestyle choices that bring about the best results.

Account for Your Schedule & Lifestyle

Setting realistic goals requires you to account for other factors in your life — namely your schedule and lifestyle. For example, you may set a goal to lose 20 pounds in two months. This would require you to adopt a somewhat aggressive diet and/or exercise regimen. However, before you do this, there are certain factors you need to consider. First and foremost, do you have the time and energy to take on additional exercise, food shopping, and cooking? Do other factors in your schedule (work, school, kids, etc.) make it harder to reach your goals on time? If so, you may need to adjust your goals so that they conform with the reality of your life.

Test the Waters With Different Weight-Loss Techniques

No two people are exactly the same. Consequently, everyone reacts to weight-loss programs differently. While you may benefit from a high-protein diet and limited exercise, someone else may need to focus more on high-intensity exercise at the gym and a diet that provides enough carbs to give them ample energy. Either way, you’ll likely need to test the waters with various weight-loss techniques to see what works. This, in turn, will help you discover which techniques will help you reach your goals on time.

Consult the Experts

Finally, it’s important to remember that you’re not in this alone. You should always consider getting the support of friends and family when you start your weight-loss journey. Additionally, you should consult experts in the field of body health and weight loss to craft a plan that will actually work. For example, the experts at RCMC Medical Center have years of experience helping people reach their ideal body weight!