If you’re looking to lose weight, the first thing you should do is create a plan for yourself and follow it through to the end. That way, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done in order to achieve your weight loss goals and which foods help you get there and which ones hinder your progress. This guide will teach you how to make a weight loss plan that’s right for you, so that you can stay on track even when things get tough!
Start with an Overall Goal
The first step in making a successful weight-loss plan is setting an overall goal. It’s important that you set realistic goals based on how many pounds you want to lose and how quickly. The more ambitious your goal, the harder it will be to achieve your desired results. On average, most people drop about 2 lbs. each week if they combine diet and exercise together—so if you want to lose 50 lbs., make sure your weekly goal doesn’t exceed 25 lbs. This can help ensure steady progress instead of having a good month followed by bad months. The key to success here is consistency—if you make a plan for losing 50 lbs., stick with it no matter what until you get there!
Write Down Specific and Measurable Goals
When it comes to making plans for your future, be as specific and measurable as possible. Rather than saying you want to lose weight or make more money, identify exactly what you want (and how much of it you want) in terms of units—pounds lost or pounds made per month. And if those units aren’t clear, break them down into smaller increments until they are.
Set Timelines For When You'll Reach Your Goals
How much do you want to lose and how quickly are you looking to shed those pounds? These questions will help determine how aggressive your diet should be, says Mary Jane Detroyer, R.D., founder of Nutrition Communications Inc. in Lafayette, California. If someone's more than 20 pounds overweight, we don't want them going on an extreme diet that could lead to drop in blood sugar levels, she explains.
Check In With Yourself Regularly
Before you make an official goal, it’s important to check in with yourself and ask if you really want to make that change. There are plenty of good reasons why we might be tempted by weight-loss plans: Maybe our doctor wants us to lose 20 pounds, or maybe we want a beach body for swimsuit season. Whatever your reason, give yourself permission to do some soul searching before committing—and also commit to honoring your answer when you get it.
Reward Yourself Often!
You’ve set your goal, you’re tracking your weight loss every week, and you’re staying focused. That deserves a reward! Why not take yourself out to dinner or buy that piece of clothing you’ve been wanting for months but said no to previously because it was too expensive.
Get Help From Others
One of your first steps when making a new weight-loss plan should be joining a program or community that offers support and guidance. These are places where you can share your progress with others and get inspiration from people who are dealing with similar issues as you. And don’t forget about accountability—finding someone who you can check in with throughout your journey will help keep you on track.
There's no perfect weight, but there is a perfect you!
There's no such thing as a perfect body. We should all aspire to be healthy, feel confident, and love our bodies—no matter what they look like. A lot of people want to lose 10 pounds or so, but that isn't necessarily realistic (or healthy). The best plan is one you can actually stick with in life. If it means you won't get super-skinny but will shed 5 pounds and keep them off over time, that's still progress!