Mini Goals?

One of my mini goals is for someone that doesn't know I'm trying to lose weight to comment on my weight loss, I know some other people have goals such as fitting back into their 'skinny clothes', others set goals like 'move out of obese BMI category' then ' move out of overweight category'.

I think once you've set some mini goals, its good to reward yourself for meeting each one, my usual reward is shopping for a new top to go out in!

Its better to think small first. That way you get motivated. Maybe the first 10 lbs, jeans you can't get into, That way when you get there, the satisfaction is that much better and makes you want to keep going.

You can set mini goals with exercise even if you don't have actual events coming up. You can increase your physical activity. Try a new exercise class. Try walking/running further than you had before...try accomplishing so many miles within a week. I got frustrated always using weight loss as a mini goal so I had to try and find other things to focus on. I sometimes will try going a week without eating a certain food that I know is a trigger food for me. There are all different types of mini goals you can try setting for yourself. It just depends on what you want to focus on.

Best of luck to you!! Stay positive and keep on working hard. It pays off.

When I was doing Weight Watchers, they use mini goals of percentages of weight loss. I personally started out at 258 so my first mini goal was to lose 5% (13 pounds) then 10% (25 pounds), etc. They would also give you stickers for every 5 pound loss.

I'm a big fan of baby steps for someone just starting out. Say you've never tracked your food before. So your first goal would be to go a whole week tracking every single thing, not even really paying attention to your daily caloric goal, just tracking to get used to it. Then then next week, cut down on one thing that is putting you over your caloric goal, like instead of having two sandwiches, just have one. Or add a fruit or vegetable, or drink more water. Whatever it is that you need to do to work towards better health.

I also like the idea of using fitness goals. Say you start out walking and can only do 10 minutes before you're completely winded and exhausted. Give yourself two or three weeks of doing 10 minute walks 3 or 4 times per week just to get used to more consistent activity. Then increase your time every 2 or 3 weeks. Walk 15 minutes, then 20 minutes....then eventually try walking faster....and maybe even try doing some jogging intervals, or add weights. There are so many options out there.