Committing yourself to a healthier lifestyle is a great accomplishment. But, because significant weight loss won’t happen overnight we recommend setting smaller goals along the way. Doing so will keep you motivated and give you a way to measure your success.

Some smaller, short-term goals along your journey may be:

• Losing weight in small increments such as 1-2 pounds a week or 4-8 pounds a month
• Reaching a new level of fitness (eg, running your first mile)
• Following your healthy diet for an entire week
• Making a healthy eating choice when you are surrounded by temptation
• Dropping one clothing size
• Grocery shopping without feeling exhausted when you return home
• Being faithful to your exercise program

Once you reach these small goals, celebrate them and make sure to enjoy your success with your support team. Sharing your success will inspire others and it will help you to stay motivated. Remember, if you have rewarded yourself in the past by eating, you’ll need to develop new ways of rewarding yourself such as:

• Pamper yourself - enjoy a manicure or pedicure, get a massage, or book an overnight stay at a nice hotel
• Buy a new CD of your favorite music or a DVD movie
• Invite some friends to a movie or go shopping for a new (smaller) clothes
• Change your hairstyle
• Schedule “alone” time - arrange for a babysitter or your spouse to take the kids and enjoy a “spa day” at home
• Arrange to sleep late one morning
• Take a vacation day from work and do whatever you want
• Buy yourself a new piece of fitness equipment
• Take pictures of yourself and show them to your friends and family so they can see your progress
• Go for a “joyride” and play your favorite music