When it comes to weight loss, the biggest hurdle that most people face is just getting started! And… they really don’t have a clue where to start. What needs to be done is not much of a secret, per say, but it IS essential, and an often-missed ingredient of a weight loss plan.

To get going on reaching your weight loss goal, you need to set some short-term goals. Goals should be used in the same way as milestones are used on roadways. Just as a highway without a milestone, you will have no idea of when (if ever) you will get to your destination without them. Without these small fat loss goals, you will have no idea of how much work you need to do to shed all pounds you want to! Make sure to write down your goals. This will cement them in your psyche.

To set those short-term weight loss goals effectively, ask yourself:

1. How much weight I want to lose?

2. When can I expect to lose my first 10 pounds?

3. How often will I exercise?

4. If I see myself not reaching my first short-term goal, what can I do to get on track?

Write your answers to these questions on your paper too. Put the list of your goals and solutions in a place where you will see them often, like on the bathroom mirror or on the fridge to see when temptation strikes.

Setting goals is a great tool, but isn’t enough. In order to make the goals achievable, you must set REALISTIC goals. If you have a goal of losing fifty pounds within a couple of weeks or a month, that is just not going to happen. Setting unrealistic goals is useless, and will only frustrate you.

Ideally, no matter what you do, you should aim to lose no more than 1-2 pounds per week. Create your goals accordingly. If you want to lose fifty pounds, it will take you at least six months to achieve that loss.

Set small and achievable goals for yourself so that when you achieve them, you will feel more confident to move forward. This is one of the biggest “secrets” of successful weight loss! Set those short-terms goals, and set yourself up for weight loss success.