10 Health Goals That Have Nothing To Do With The Number On The Scale
Whether you are reading this around the time it was posted and looking for some new goals for a new year, or you are reading this anytime after, you have decided to make some healthy changes in your life. That all starts with coming up with goals and thinking about the actions needed to make that healthy change. Most of the time a goal of creating a healthy lifestyle can be tied to weight loss. However, the number on the scale isn’t the only goal you want to focus on. Today we’re discussing non-scale related goals
Why It’s Important To Have Other Goals
Going down in numbers on the scale can be exciting when you are on a weight loss journey, but I’ve found that other moments are the ones that make me feel the best. It’s the feeling I get when I fit into a pair of jeans I haven’t worn in a while, or discovering that I actually do like that healthy food. That’s what I remember most about when I was the most successful with my weight loss. Those are the feelings I can’t wait to experience again.
It’s important to have other health related goals for your weight loss journey for many reasons. The number on the scale fluctuates throughout the day, so it isn’t an accurate portrayal of what you have been doing to work on your health. It can also get toxic focusing on numbers too much. If you are sensitive to focusing too much on numbers, I’d recommend picking out a few other health goals instead.
How To Determine What Your Goals Should Be
The most important thing you can do before determining your non-scale related goals is to determine your why. Why are you on this health journey? Once you answer that question you’ll want to answer one more. What do you hope to get out of this health journey? Here are a few examples of what this can look like.
Why: I want to be healthier so that I can live a better life and keep up with friends when going out
What: I want to develop a consistent workout routine and I hope that I can walk away from this journey feeling accomplished
Why: I want to be healthier so that I can live a long life and reverse some of my health problems that I have currently
What: I want to learn how to eat healthier and follow my doctor’s recommendations I hope that I will no longer have prediabetes when I reach my goal
10 Non-Scale Related Goals
Once you have your Why and What figured out, it’s time to determine your health goals. Here are a couple of examples of non-scale related goals.
Try a new healthy recipe every week
This is a great goal to start with if you are a picky eater, like myself. Even if you don’t try a full new recipe every week, maybe try a food that you used to not like to see if your taste buds have changed. That is what I have done recently and I found out that I like cooked carrots now. If you need some recipe inspiration check out Pinterest, cookbooks, and my Healthy Eats series.
Complete the 75 Hard, or Soft
What I like about the 75 Hard/Soft challenge is that it focuses on much more than your physical health. It’s known as a mental toughness challenge. I’m hoping to try and attempt the 75 Soft challenge again at some point this year.
Try out new workout classes
This is such a fun goal because not only does it get you out of your comfort zone, but you may just find your new favorite form of workout. I think of the first time I took a Zumba class and how I fell in love with dancing. Then there was a time that I tried CrossFit and felt so challenged and empowered. Check out your local gym to see what classes they have.
Run a 5k (or any other race)
If you enjoy running, or want to get to that point, running a race would be a great goal for you. There are a plethora of races out there to partake in. There’s ones that have themes, ones that support good causes, and more.
Complete a workout program or challenge
If you’re a regular reader of mine you know that I’m no stranger to this goal. I love the feeling of completing a workout challenge. I’m hoping to experience this a few times this year. You can find challenges to join and programs to try by following some people in the wellness space, some of my favorites are Love Sweat Fitness, The Fitness Marshall, REFIT, and emkfit.
Go without fast food
This one is a struggle for me if I’m being honest. I believe there is power in the “everything in moderation” tactic. However, I also think that when you are used to having something so often for so long, it can be helpful to break free from the habit completely, for a little while at least. Then once you’ve broken that routine of course enjoying the occasional take out is perfectly acceptable. That is my non-medical opinion anyway. In terms of goals this could look like not ordering takeout/doordash/going through the drive-through for 30 days.
Increase your strength/resistance
When I first had success in my weight loss journey, this was my favorite benefit. Now I’m focused on making this a goal. Tracking what dumbbells I use for what exercise and what substitutions I need for certain moves. As I continue on this new try I’ll refer back to see how much I’ve grown strength wise.
Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night
I truly underestimate how important sleep is to your health.It affects so much more than just feeling groggy and unfocused when you are tired. Getting the right amount of sleep is now on my radar this year as I get back to taking my health seriously.
Drink more water
Just like sleep, water is also incredibly important to your weight loss success. My aim has always been to drink 100 ounces of water a day. I use water tracker apps to keep an eye on how far I have to go to get to my goal.
Eat meals undistracted
I’m guilty of eating meals in a rush or scrolling on my phone not paying attention to what I’m eating. I didn’t realize that it can impact your health as much as it does. It turns out that it’s best to practice mindful eating. This way you pay more attention to what your body is telling you while you are eating. You can set a goal to stay off screens during your lunch breaks this year. Or not rush through dinner each night.
Celebrate small wins
This is a goal that I’m excited to implement, and I think everyone should make this a goal. The beauty of this is that it doesn’t even have to be health related. Celebrating small wins helps to boost your spirit and encourages you to keep going.. Plus this is a fun goal to go after in between some of the more difficult ones you may be going for.
Those are just some of the non-scale related goals that you can pursue. I’m personally excited to start celebrating small wins more often as well as trying healthier meals. What are you going to be working towards? Let me know in the comments.
