Weight Loss Tip: Goal setting for weight loss

Twice now I've lost over 20 pounds. First, when I was 19 and put on the freshman 15 (which turned into the freshman 25) and second, after my first pregnancy in which I gained 40 pounds.

The primary thing that helped me lose the weight was setting a goal for myself and focusing on that goal. I had very specific criteria (lose 30 pounds say), a very specific, realistic date (6 months from now), and an event that I was preparing for that was tied to my goal date (going to my cousin's wedding).

The other main thing was when I felt like eating stopping and asking myself - Am I hungry? And if I wasn't feeling particularly hungry then asking myself what emotion I was feeling (or desiring to feel) that was compelling me to eat.

And, of course, exercise. I set a goal to exercise 5 days a week - 40 minutes of cardio a day and weights three times a day.

I lost 25 pounds the first round and 40 pounds the second time. And I feel wonderful, beautiful, and confident, not just because I lost the weight, but because I followed through on my goal.