Setting the Right Goals to Lose Weight and Shape Up

Many of us are "goal oriented" and achieving a goal can bring great personal satisfaction. I think that a goal such as "losing 10 pounds" is counterproductive. Certainly you might achieve the goal, but then what? After a while the weight always seems to come back.

I think that a better for losing weight and shaping up is to find lifestyle changes that result in eating less and exercising more and then monitoring your maintenance of those changes.

I decided this year to exercise more and eat less. I try to play golf on Saturday and Sunday and generally walk carrying my own bag. My first change is to always walk and carry my bag. We have a small gym at the club and my second change was to use one of the aerobic machines on Monday - Wednesday- Friday. The first Monday my legs were too tired. So I changed to using the machines Tuesday -Friday. If I don't play golf then I try to get to the machines on the weekend. If I do neither on the week end day, then I will use the machine on Monday. In any case I have changed my lifestyle and adding this exercise to my routine. I am lucky. The club is close by, using the gym requires no additional cost, I can do it in any weather, and there are televisions showing news or sports so the time goes my quickly. I started at 20 minutes and am up to 30. I plan on adding some exercise with the strength machines in the near future.

Before starting I had a physical. I would highly recommend that to anyone before starting an exercise program.

Your lifestyle may make finding an exercise program more difficult, but if you try I am sure it can be done. Maybe you can jog or take a brisk walk before dinner or first thing in the morning or at lunch. Or jump rope. Or ride a bike. The point is to find something you can do for the long haul. And if the first thing you try does not work, try something else.

I have also cut back on my eating. Some days are better than others. When we go out I now bring back leftovers. I have reduced my snacks. I have reduced my portions. I have also reducing my alcohol intake. I still have a beer with my friends after golf and occasionally have a drink or some wine with dinner rather than on a regular basis as before.

I ate too much at a Super Bowl party and too much on a recent dinner out. I know I could do better in those situations. I also tend to snack too much when it readily available so I need to watch that.

At this point I feel better. I enjoy the exercise. I do not feel deprived. I am sleeping better.
So far I have lost six pounds this year. I know I could have gone on some kind of diet program and lost more but I have done that in the past and then gained the weight once I got tired of the diet. I think I can continue this for a long time.