So you have set your goal but realistically, it could take you a while to achieve that goal. You may have a significant amount of weight to lose and it can be very difficult to stay motivated for extended periods. So, how can you stay motivated for the duration of that journey?

The first mistake many people make when trying to lose weight: they only set outcome goals. What is an outcome goal?

This is also known as the end-goal… The goal you want to accomplish by the end of your TLC-Program. So typically, your outcome goal will be your final target weight. This is the goal weight your Coach will help you decide on at the start of your TLC-Program.

However, focusing only on outcome goals can derail your motivation. They can often feel too distant and leave you feeling overwhelmed. It can seem unreachable and can lead to you just giving up and quitting.

So what should you do? 

Process Goals:

Keep your outcome or end-goal in mind, but also set process goals. This includes what actions you’re going to take to reach your desired outcome. An example of a process goal is exercising four times a week, or drinking 8 glasses of water a day. This is easy achievable and measurable success that will keep you motivated and keep you on track to your outcome goal.

Research has found those who are process focused are more likely to lose weight and less likely to deviate from their diets, compared to those who focus on weight loss outcomes alone.

When you set your Process Goals, make sure they are SMART goals.

SMART stands for:

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Time-based

Some examples of SMART goals include:

  • I will walk briskly for 30 minutes five days next week.
  • I will drink 8 glasses of water every day this week.
  • I will sleep for 8 hours for 5 nights this week.

By setting these achievable smart process goals you will have positive reinforcement and a sense of accomplishment that will keep you motivated and keep you going to achieve your outcome goal. Set your goals now!