If you would like to achieve success in your New Year’s resolution, you need to set smaller goals along the way. Too often, people are solely focused on the end goal. They only focus on reaching a certain number on the scale or looking a certain way in the mirror. If you only focus on your overall goal, it’s going to look too far away. It’s easy to feel a sense of despair, which may prevent you from sticking to your New Year’s resolution.
Importantly, there is nothing wrong with having an outcome goal, which will be your final target weight. The entire purpose of setting smaller goals is that this is going to keep you motivated along the way. If you accomplish these smaller goals, you will feel a sense of accomplishment. This prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and will encourage you to stick with your New Year’s resolution to achieve weight loss success.
Medical studies support this. One study followed more than 125 women who were trying to lose weight. They enrolled in a structured weight loss program to compare one group with one large goal with another group that had many smaller goals. Those who were focused on setting smaller goals along the way (and achieving them) were more likely to achieve their goals and were less likely to deviate from their diets when compared to those who were only focused on their weight alone, according to Patient Education and Counseling.
When you are setting specific goals, there is a format you should follow. This is called the SMART acronym. The goal is to set goals that are:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-oriented
A few examples of these goals you might want to follow include:
I am going to run for at least 30 minutes every day during the next two weeks.
I am only going to allow myself to drink one sport drink this week.
I am only going to have dessert on Friday night this week.
I will eat at least four servings of fruits every day for the next seven days.
I will eat at least five servings of vegetables spread across three meals every day for the next two weeks.
When it comes to your New Year’s resolution weight loss, set SMART goals, and ensure you are in a position to succeed.