Photo by Casey SerinI recently wrote a post about the 4 P's Of Permanent Weight Loss:
- Positive Thinking
- Planning
- Patience
- Perseverance
Planning
“Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.”—Tom Landry
You have decided that it is time to lose weight. You want to get healthy and protect yourself from obesity related illness. You have a desire and a goal; you are mentally primed and ready for success. While this is wonderful, without a plan you will fail.
Excess pounds will not magically disappear because you have a desire to lose weight. Weight loss is not an accident but the result of careful planning and action.
Your weight loss plan is your road map to success. A plan removes the guesswork and the stress that can accompany lifestyle changes. So, what are the elements of a good plan?
Plan your meals
Pre-planning your meals will keep you on track with your weight loss goals. Write a meal calendar for the week, including healthy snacks. This enables you to shop and prepare foods in advance. You will not have to think before every meal and will remove much of the temptation that comes with “on-the-go” decisions. You will also save money at the grocery store by buying only what you need for the week.
Plan for emergencies
Keep a stash of healthy snacks in your car or desk at work. Life happens and things do not always to according to plan. You may get stuck in a meeting and miss lunch, or work late and be delayed getting home to dinner. Planning will give you an alternative to the vending machine or drive through.
Plan for eating out
Losing and keeping weight off does not mean that you cannot eat out. Going to lunch or dinner with family and friends is a nice social activity. To stay on track you simply need to plan ahead. If possible, check out the menu in advance online and make a selection that keeps you on your plan. You can then skip looking at the menu and the temptation that comes with the multitude of choices. If you cannot review the menu in advance, opt for smaller portions and healthier choices (grilled, steamed versus fried).
Plan to move
Schedule exercise sessions on your calendar. Plan the time and activity that you will do. You do not have to train like an elite athlete to lose weight, but regular exercise is an important component of weight loss and good health. Leaving it to chance often means it just will not happen. Exercising in the morning is a good way to make sure it gets done before the distractions of the day take over.
Plan for obstacles
What are the things that keep you from exercising? What triggers cause you to grab that bag of cookies? Are there people or places that cause you to eat unhealthy? Make a list of your obstacles and then plan ways to overcome them.
Even with a good plan, you will have setbacks. Do not let that discourage you. Dust yourself off and go back to your plan. Learn from those failures and plan ways to avoid repeating the same mistake. Working your plan will lead to your desire becoming reality.
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**Please consult your physician, registered dietitian, or certified fitness professional before starting or changing your diet or exercise program.**
