To make a change to your life you have to plan to make the change or it won’t happen. Planning for a successful outcome is the basic requirement of any endeavour. When Sir Edmund Hillary conquered Mount Everest, he wasn’t out for a stroll and all of a sudden found himself at the summit!
Take some time to work out what you want to achieve from losing weight, and put your goals in place. Even if the end result falls short of the planned criteria, it’s a likely bet that you’ll be much closer to success than you’d have been without them. Achievable goals tend to be measurable, specific, realistic and targeted.
Make a personal contract based on the following 5 D’s to immerse yourself in the positive outcome of your weight management. This contract should be written down, and signed. Define (what you want out of it) e.g. The exact figure, attitude, lifestyle etc. Be specific about the things you’re looking forward to, the kind of look you want, the sort of sports you’ll be able to play and the type of lifestyle you’ll have.
The thing that really moves us to action is desire. Find something that you really want to achieve from your weight loss. Is it to prove to yourself or others that you can do it, and that you deserve a better life? Perhaps you want to be fitter, or maybe it’s a personal challenge.
Next comes Dedication (the commitment)… Plan your time each week so you know exactly when you’re dedicated to exercising. Have it written on a calendar planner that you can cross off once you’ve completed it.
This not only helps you to get into a routine, it’s also an indicator for those around you that you’re engaged in something that’s important to you. Other people will understand your priorities better when you stick to a commitment. It means when you’re relaxing you won’t be feeling guilty that you’re not working-out, and when you’re exercising you won’t be feeling you’re missing out on some other activity.
Determination – the will to stick to the plan until completion and see it through. This is your contract to ensure that you won’t let yourself down. Having a plan and targets to work towards gives you a Discipline that helps you to power through the tough times that will occasionally strike you.
Your contract is a working document designed to assist and strengthen you through the change in your life. Goal planning with realistic targets has proved time and time again to bring more success than any amount of haphazard efforts. Don’t compromise your results by merely paying lip service!
