How to lose weight the smart way

Setting small and sustainable goals may sound like a simple solution to maintaining the motivation to move more and consume less (crap), but choosing to create a personalised plan can prevent you from hindering more than just your healthier habits. 

Here is how to use the SMART method to pin point progress, maintain motivation and set the small and sustainable goals that will take you one step closer to success...

S - Specific. Whether its toning a troublesome tummy, banishing bothersome binges or ousting an accumulation of additional weight, if you're specific about what you're striving to achieve, you are far more likely to take the necessary steps to succeed.

M - Measurable. Capturing change on camera, focusing on how your clothes fit (and feel!) and measuring problem prone areas are just a selection of the sensible solutions that will allow you to maintain motivation, pin point if progress is being made and adapt your plan accordingly.

A - Attainable. Whether its sustaining the stamina to smash a tough training session or maintaining the mental motivation to make sensible food swaps, setting realistic goals that resemble the reality of your existing physical and psychological strength (and stamina!) will ensure that you execute your new eating and exercise regime without the risk of resorting to your old routine - your goals should be challenging, but not impossible to attain.

R - Relevant. Setting an intrinsic goal (for yourself) such as eliminating excess weight for a future event as opposed to an extrinsic goal (for someone else) such as slashing the sweet stuff because your sister says that you should, will not only allow you to maintain motivation when times get tough, but focus on creating the change that leads to long-term health and happiness - for you.

T - Timed. Whether its weeks, months or days, setting a designated deadline will create a challenge that forces you to compete with yourself to the point of physical and psychological change.

Top tip: although the SMART method is a fantastic tool for learning how to track your progress and set specific goals, don't feel disheartened if you fail to meet your deadline/s. Placing too much emphasis on this particular part of the SMART method can not only hinder your healthier habits, but force you to become fixated on your failures - failures that you will have another opportunity to fix tomorrow.