The start of each year brings new beginnings, new motivation, and new goals to accomplish. Many people wish for weight loss while others may seek something different. Before you make any goals, make sure you’re preparing yourself for success. How to make realistic goals There’s a lot more behind goal making then just defining what your goal is. Below are some things to think about when trying to make a realistic goal for yourself: Think about what’s important to you What would this goal help you to achieve? How would you feel if you reached this goal? Be specific Think measurable and attainable Relevant to where you are in life right now Time bound The next step in creating goals for yourself Make sure you write your goal down so that you can visualize it. This way you’re easily reminded to get things done and stay motivated. Set an alarm for yourself at a certain time each day as a reminder to work towards your goal, however that may be Make your phone background an inspirational quote or make it a list of things you should be getting done each day based on your goals Bariatric support groups can provide much help as well. How to stay motivated in achieving your goals The real challenge is finding ways to stay motivated to accomplish your goals. Below are outlets to utilize in order to promote and maintain motivation towards your goals. Surround yourself with positive people that support you and your motives Join a bariatric support group Utilize social media outlets and online classes that can offer you virtual motivation Try a sample box of bariatric fusion Don’t make excuses, there’s always a way Believe in yourself Prepare for setbacks Learn what works and what doesn’t. If something doesn’t work for you, recognize it and rebound quickly. Some tips to handle setbacks are: Involve others who support you and are willing to check in with you Look at the bigger picture and have positive reinforcement Even if you don’t reach your goals in the time frame you set for yourself, recognize what you did accomplish If you prepare for barriers and roadblocks you can set yourself up for a successful journey. Remember that setbacks are normal, especially with rapid weight loss. Weight plateaus and weight regain are not unusual, the most important thing is how you handle those challenges. How to stay accountable Track daily progress and self-monitor with an app (MyFitnessPal, MyPlate) Weekly weigh ins Visit a dietitian monthly Have a family member check in on you Track body measurements Celebrate progress Celebrate your achievements no matter how small it may seem. Buy yourself some new clothes when you reach weight loss goals Try not to reward with food Small vacations Parties Spa New shoes New kitchen set If you’re looking to celebrate without breaking the bank, reward yourself with more time for a hobby you enjoy or take the day to relax and focus on yourself. Take away It’s not always smooth sailing when you’re working on weight loss whether it be surgically induced, medical weight loss, or just weight loss on your own. They call it a weight loss journey for a reason. After bariatric surgery, you have a jumpstart on a new life that you have to work at every day to see results. You have to incorporate behavior and lifestyle change in order to see these results. Challenges will continue to pop up along your journey, but setting achievable goals will keep you motivated and on the right track. **This blog is for information and education purposes only. This information is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions in regards to a medical condition. A qualified healthcare professional can best assist you in deciding whether a dietary supplement is suitable based on your individual needs.