Setting Weight-Loss Goals

Topic Overview

Setting goals is an important tool for managing your weight. Think about why you want to lose weight, and then set your goals. Also, prepare for slip-ups.

Ask yourself the following:

  • Do your goals focus primarily on behavior changes or on achieving a certain weight?
  • Is your main goal to improve your health or your appearance?
  • Do your goals include changes you can live with for the rest of your life?
  • Are the goals you wish to achieve your goals or someone else's?
  • Do you think your life will be better (you will be happier, people will accept you more, your life will be more exciting) if you lose weight?
  • Do you think that if you could just lose your extra weight, you would then be able to keep it off?
  • Is your appearance more important to you than your health?

Related Information

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Ali Tavakkoli, FACS, FRCS, MD - General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery

Current as ofOctober 9, 2017