Mental strategies for weight loss success

Successful people turn dreams into goals. They stop dreaming about what they would like to do, and start on how to get it done. And this takes determination, discipline, patience and perseverance.

These are five practical, mental strategies for achieving your goals when it comes to losing weight (and by "weight" I don't always mean "fat loss." Weight is just as applicable to "baggage"). It really is about betterment.

1. HAVE A PLAN: Set specific dates and numbers. How much weight? What is your target date? Set timelines. Assign responsibility. Reward yourself. Some examples are:

* Eat vegetables with every meal,
* Lose 20 pounds by June,
* Limit dairy consumption
* Exercise every day for at least 20 minutes.

2. BE FLEXIBLE: Expect that you will deviate from your diet every now and then. Circumstances occasionally temporarily prevents us from sticking to our plans. As long as we do not give up, we will succeed. So, allow yourself a cheat day. Men’s Health Abs Diet grants Sunday as a cheat day. Remember, “you don’t want to stand rigid like a tall oak that cracks and collapses in the storm. Instead, you want to be flexible, like a reed that bends with the storm and survives” -- Deepak Chopra.

3. WRITE IT DOWN: Time slips by so quickly these days. With the daily hustle of deadlines and mandatory “to dos” our goals might become vaguely esoteric. Writing down our intentions, will make our plans permanent. Refer to this guide, your to do for you every morning and every night. Check off your accomplishments. Then reward yourself... again.

4. KEEP IT SAFE: Share your goals with like minded people. Misery loves company and those loved ones that are dieting and exercising with determination, will happily offer their support. Remember, this is for you, your goal, no one else’s. Keep it to yourself, for now.

5. GET REST: Eight hours of sleep, at least. Our body needs rest, especially if you are changing a routine, this can be stressful and your body needs to recuperate. Diets can cause havoc on our sensibilities, but they do work. Don’t allow yourself to become irritable due to lack of rest. If you need to catch up on zzz's, take a nap.

When it comes to achieving your goals, you should know your intention. Yes, to lose weight, but why? What are your reasons? Is it to no longer be seen as “invisible?” As ironic as that is, this truly unconscious desire, this reasoning will not make you happy. By applying your intuitive response, -- your instinctive response -- as a guide, your intention will easily and effortlessly become a reality.