Weight Loss Goal

How to Set and Plan Weight Loss Goals!!! 

Setting weight loss goals is probably one of the more difficult steps of a weight loss program. How much do you need to lose and how do you calculate that number?

The way most of us approach it is to choose a number based on what we used to weigh or, perhaps, what we've always wanted to weigh. But is that a realistic goal?

If you're losing weight for your health, your goal might be more modest, say 5 to 10 percent of your current weight. But what if you have something more specific in mind like a certain clothing size you want to fit into?

The problem is, there isn't really a set weight that equates to clothing size and, for women, clothing sizes differ from company to company.

So, what's the answer to all of these questions? Your first step is to learn how to set reachable weight loss goals that you can actually measure.

The key to setting weight loss goals is to follow the standard of goal setting, which means it needs to be SMART. A smart goal is: Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and tangible.

Go all the way back to the basics and start by figuring out if you really need to lose weight.

Setting Your Goals

If you've determined you do need to lose weight, your next step is to set a reasonable weight loss goal for yourself.

You can base your goals on any number of factors, but a great place to start would be the general recommendations set out by the American College of Sports Medicine which are 5-10% of body weight or one to two pounds per week.

This weight loss calculator will help you set a daily calorie target to best achieve your weight loss goals.

Do You Need to Lose Weight?

If you talk to most people, you'll probably find that everyone feels like they need to lose weight, even people who appear to be at a healthy weight.

Often our weight loss goals are based on what we think we should look like rather than what's reasonable for our bodies right now. There are broad parameters to use to figure out if you need to lose weight but, in general, a candidate for weight loss may have the following characteristics:

• A BMI of more than 25
• A waist-hip ratio of higher than .8 for women and higher than 1.0 men
• An abdominal girth measurement of more than 35 inches in women and 40 inches in men
• Read more........