Plan Properly, Lose Weight by Healthy by DesignSample

Setting Time-Bound Goals

The final principle in creating S.M.A.R.T. goals is Time-bound.

Time-bound goals mean that your goal should have a start date and an end date. The amount of time that you give yourself to attain your goal should create a sense of urgency, yet it should also be realistic enough that it is possible to achieve it. Your mind will adjust accordingly to the deadlines that you set for yourself to accomplish. No timeline means little or no accomplishment.

God's Word reminds us that wisdom comes when we learn to number our days—that means planning, prioritizing, then making the most of our days.

1. Focus will be on breaking down your goal into bite-sized pieces starting today. Based on how much weight you have to release, calculate the date you will achieve your healthy weight.

2. Next, calculate your weight on December 31. For some people, this might be the same weight, depending on how much weight you have to release.

To calculate your goal date, here are a few tools you can use: 

• An online weight calculator 
• If you use MyFitnessPal, it will give you a goal date 
• Assume 0.5-2 pounds per week

You can calculate by using myfitnesspal.com or by assuming 1-2 pounds per week.

3. The next step is to break your goal down into quarterly steps. Quarterly goals are more motivating to track. It's short enough to keep you from getting over-whelmed and long enough for you to see significant changes. They give you opportunities to adjust if things go off track and help you to remain focused by keeping the timelines manageable.

Action Steps

For today, take the annual goal that you created and break it down into 4 quarters. I suggest you allow for faster weight loss at the beginning of the year and expect that it will slow down as you reach closer to your goal. For example, if your goal is to release 60 pounds this year, your quarterly goals might look like this: Q1 - 24 pounds, Q2 - 18 pounds, Q3 - 12 pounds, Q4 - 6 pounds.

If your plan is to achieve your goal in the first part of the year, then your goal will be to maintain your weight for the balance of the year.

Reflect

1. What is the date that you will achieve your healthy weight?

2. Does the prospect of creating a specific timeline excite you or fill you with anxiety? If you feel anxiety, turn it over to God in prayer.

Prayer

"Lord, I seek your kingdom above all else. I put you before my agendas, my timelines, and my priorities. I give you control over my plans, and I will continually turn them back over to you whenever I try to take back control. I do everything on time and in order. All my steps are ordered by you.

I open my heart and mind to your prompting as I submit my schedule to you. I invite you to lead me in this process; I commit to doing your will. In your name, I pray. Amen!"

Here's to your success as you achieve your healthy weight this year! I pray that you will live in excellent health. To find our books, resources, or to sign up for our weekly newsletter to help you discover weight loss, God's way, go to https://cathymorenzie.com/yv .