How to Truly Follow Through Your Weight-Loss Plan in 2009? Set SMARTER Goals!

Why do so many New Year resolutions fail? In January, did you begin with a strong motivation, undivided attention, intense focus and concentration on your weight-loss endeavor? You were probably doing exercises, eating healthy meals, and staying from junk food everyday. But comes February, you are losing motivation, starting to cheat on your diet, skipping workouts, and falling back into your old pattern - your old ways of life?

Sound familiar? Does this story apply to your or someone you know?

How then can you break this pattern and follow through your new year resolutions this year - 2009?

Many fitness trainers strongly suggest not to just make resolutions, but set SMART goals. Even better, set SMARTER goals according to a bodybuilding expert, Tom Veneto.

Why? Resolutions are often just wishes, dreams, and most importantly vague. They are fine but to be truly successfully, you need to put your weight-loss or muscle-building plan on project status! You need to adopt a business-like mindset to carry out what is necessary to fulfill your New Year fitness goals. And for that, you need to set goals, SMARTER goals. This concept is not new. It has long been established out there, in particular the business literature.

SMARTER goals comprise of 7 essential elements:

S is Specific
M is Measurable
A is Accountable
R is Realistic
T is Time Bound
E is Emotional
R is Reviewed often

1. Specific. Set specific goals set goals with clarity. See clearly where you are going before you get there.

2. Measurable. Set quantifiable, measurable goals. Could it be 30 pounds fat-loss, 10 pounds muscle-gain, 2 inches off your waist? Don't just say you want to lose weight, but state how much weight.

3. Accountable. Set goals you are accountable to. Keep daily journal, meal plans, exercise plans. Find a friend, a mentor who can hold you accountable to your goals. Challenge a friend on a 12-week weight loss challenge and hold each other accountable.

4. Realistic. Set goals that are realistic, challenging but reachable. For this, you may need to consult a fitness professional to see what fitness goals are considered realistic to you. Or, search on the Internet for those before-and-after photos. Find a before photo that is similar to your current state, which may help you identify what is achievable. If this guy can do it within 12 weeks, you can too.

5. Time Bound. Set goals with deadlines. A deadline imparts a sense of urgency into your being. You need to set daily goals, weekly goals as well as monthly goals. If you need to go to a reunion in 12 week time and you want to look good by then, it then gives you a sense of urgency for you to stick to your plan. Sign up and pay for a sporting event like a half-marathon that is 18 weeks away. You are more likely then to follow through your fitness plan.

6. Emotional. What would intensively motivate you to stay on this journey? What would it be like when you reach your goals? What is the one most burning desire and passion that may propel you forward? Goals without an emotional reason will not keep you for long on this New Year body-transformation plan. You got to have a strong emotional reason to keep you highly focus. Find one! This is important!

7. Reviewed often. Why do resolutions fail? They are set and forgotten! You need to review your goals daily, weekly and monthly. By reviewing your goals and your plan on a consistent basis will keep you stay on your plan. Look at your plan first thing in the morning, visualize what it would be like for having a new body. Your mind will take your body there.

That is, how simple is this? Remember, don't just have new resolutions this year, set smarter goals!

All the best for your journey in life!

Seed Newsvine

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