“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” Habakkuk 2:2

Someone once said that if you don’t set a goal, how will you know where you are going and how will you know when you arrive? And when you get back, how will you know where you’ve been?

It is important to set goals and it is also important to keep that goal in front of you. Write down your weight loss goal on a sticky note and post it on your bathroom mirror and refrigerator door. Post it in the front of a book you may be reading. Post it on your computer or on the dashboard of your car.

Setting a goal tends to focus you on what you want to achieve. It’s like you’re making a contract with yourself. It drives your motivation. Keep the goal achievable. Set your goals realistically so that you can be successful. That will keep you motivated.

Here are some tips for goal setting:

• Write down your goal. Again post it where you see it often.
• Make the goal attainable. “I will lose one to two pounds a week.”

• Let everyone know about your goals and get people to encourage you. Spouses and children are notorious for trashing weight-loss plans. Explain to them what you are trying to achieve, a BOD4God, and ask them to be supportive.

• Vary your exercise and try to have fun. Take a walk one day, lift weights the next, ride a bike, swim or play basketball or handball. Watching TV while moving your body can help take the tediousness out of exercise and give you something to look forward to during that time.

• Try new seasonings and flavors in your food but stay away from any that add calories. There are tons of recipes on line for healthy, delicious dishes that will bring new flavors to your palate. Type the words “weight loss recipes’ into an internet search engine for more healthy food ideas than you will live long enough to eat. The Mayo Clinic has a great website for recipes. My favorite website for recipes is www.firstplace4health.org.

• Reward your success on reaching your goal, but don’t do it with food. This is one of the toughest places to retrain one’s self because most of us have been rewarded with food from the time we were sitting in a highchair.

• Remember the Scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Your vision for a healthy body needs to be clearly stated and kept in front of you. This is a very important step in weight loss.