SMART Goals and a specific WHY

cjhanich

SMART Goals are the best way to start!
Specific: "I am going to lose 40 lbs", not "I'm going to lose weight"
Measurable: Use the scale and take measurements.
Attainable: It's not generally healthy to lose more than 3lbs a week.
Realistic: If you're starting point is 'kid in a candy store', start small. Even "small" goals, are still goals. The bigger the change the harder it is to stick to.
Time based: 30/60/90 day challenge, lose it by your birthday/dress fitting/first day of summer, etc.

Now figure out why. Do you want a smaller wedding dress? Do you want to look good in your swim suit this summer? Do you want to fit in the roller coaster seat at the fair this fall?
I haven't been horseback riding since, I think, my 16th birthday. I turn 30 this month. I love horseback riding. I want to do it every time an opportunity presents itself, but, for the sake of the poor horse, I don't. The average max weight for riding is about 200lbs. I haven't been under that in... years. and years and years and years.
Recently I've been helping my family plan a family reunion for Summer 2020. I found us the perfect, most charming rental that just happens to be on an equestrian ranch. Horseback rides are available to vacationers. Now, I could want to be smaller than my older sister, or want to look good in my swimsuit at the pool, or borrow my bonus mom's cute dress, but what I really want is to go for a horseback ride.
I need to kick 125 pounds to the curb to be at horseback riding weight. I'm down 6lbs so far, with 119lbs to go. I will ride that horse next year.

So, my SMART Goal is: I will lose 119lbs, at an average rate of 1.5-2lbs a week, and weigh 200lbs by July 23rd, 2020. I will do this by paying attention to portions and food choices, exercising regularly, and logging the heck out of my day, so that I can go horseback riding at my family reunion the following week.

Why do you want to achieve your goal?