Do any of the following scenarios apply to you?

• I recently decided I needed to make a change for my weight and health.
• I’ve struggled with my weight for a long time, and I need a new plan.
• I know I need to address my weight, but I’m not sure how.

There are many reasons for why you might be starting a new weight management plan, but all of us have one thing in common: we know that our weight matters because of our health, and it’s important to turn our plan into a healthy lifestyle that we can sustain.

Components of a Successful Weight Management Plan

Having a plan in place (for any goal, big or small) makes all the difference. Not only does it give you a solid vision, but it tells you how you can make that vision a reality. Without a plan, you’re sort of just winging it — hoping that all the right pieces fall into place. Not so effective, right?

In fact, the notable artist Vincent Van Gogh once said, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” If you find yourself asking, “Great, but what do I need to do this thing?” consider these characteristics of a solid plan:

• Your plan is realistic and measurable
• Your plan is sustainable for the long haul
• Your plan secures support from people you trust
• Your plan is custom-built to suit your needs

How to Begin Making Progress

Even if your intentions are sincere and your motivation is on high gear, starting a new weight management plan can seem daunting. Where do you start? What steps are the most important? To get started, consider these few helpful foundations of success:

Meet with Your Healthcare Provider

Weight matters because of health, so you should address your weight with a healthcare professional. Depending on their specialty, they will offer knowledge, tools, resources and suggestions to guide you in a direction that is best for your health and lifestyle.

Communicate Your Goals to Loved Ones

This step is all about accountability. Open up the dialogue about your health and your goals to loved ones you trust — whether it’s a spouse, close family member, friend, co-worker or even a support group member who is walking the same path.

Create a List of SMART Goals

Draft a list of specific goals related to your “umbrella” goal of weight-loss and weight management. These goals should be SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Write them down in a place where you can see them every day.

Remove Any Distractions

Maybe you get distracted by a cluttered refrigerator or pantry, or even a piece of exercise equipment that you keep throwing T-shirts on top of. Maybe it’s an unsupportive friend or a habit in your daily routine. Whatever deters you, try your best to remove it.

Keep a “Parent” Log

Experts advise you to write down not only your goals, but all the steps you’ve taken to attain them. If the written word empowers you, consider a log that tracks your food intake, workouts, or even physical and emotional changes so you can track your progress.

Have You Taken the Challenge?

In this post, we talked about starting the weight and health conversation with your healthcare provider. If you haven’t yet done this step, now is the time! We invite you to take the Your Weight Matters Challenge today to kick-start your weight management plan.

To take the Challenge and access a variety of other tools and benefits, please CLICK HERE.