Write Your Vision Statement for Weight Loss

Find Out Why You've Set Your Goals

-- By Dean Anderson, Behavioral Psychology Expert

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Writing Your Weight Loss Vision Statement
A comprehensive and wide-ranging Vision Statement sets the stage for everything that follows in your weight loss efforts. This Vision Statement can (and should) provide both inspiration and direction.

Inspiration
Your Vision Statement should tell you why you want to lose weight or get fit, and why the hard work and effort to accomplish your goal is worth it. Your answers to these "why" questions can include some "general" elements (feeling good about yourself, being around for your grandkids, being a good role model, having the career or relationship you really want, etc), but as much as possible, the big picture you paint here should have specific details. You can generate this detail by asking yourself questions like:

What do I want my life to look like in (1, 5 or 10) years? Explain what you want to be doing, the roles you want to take on, how you want to see yourself, etc.
What would my ideal days look like? Explain why you'd look forward to getting up in the morning, the first thing you'd do every day, who you'd spend time with, the good experiences you want to have each day, how you'd face challenges in your daily life, etc.
What personal values (love, human connection, security, independence, comfort, variety, interest, excitement, contribution to society, family, career success, etc.) do I want my daily life to express and reflect? Include how you'd rank these values if you had to choose between them at any given moment.

Your Vision Statement doesn't need to include all these questions and answers—just your main goals and concerns that float to the top. The questions are just tools you can use to get yourself thinking. It should also include your beliefs about why losing weight is crucial to meeting your "big picture" goals.

Direction
Your Vision Statement should tell you what else (besides your weight) needs to change within yourself and your life to help you get from where you are now to where you want to be. For example, you could take the list of ranked values you created above and compare that to the values that appear to be guiding your life right now; you could compare your ideal day to your typical day now.

It is crucial NOT to get down on yourself over the way things are now. Make sure you are focusing on what you CAN do to change your life as you see fit. If you aren't ready to give up the self-blame, skip this part of your Vision Statement for now.
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About The Author

Dean Anderson
Dean Anderson has master's degrees in human services (behavioral psychology/stress management) and liberal studies. His interest in healthy living began at the age of 50 when he confronted his own morbid obesity and health issues. He joined SparkPeople and lost 150 pounds and regained his health. Dean has earned a personal training certification from ACE and received training as a lifestyle and weight management consultant. See all of Dean's articles.

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Member Comments

KJCARLTON

Just looked into this program, it's been very helpful and very motivating. Thank you for
putting forth the effort to create this for all of us. - 5/1/2013 3:14:31 PM
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DOXIELOVER003

Good article. Goals are important and can help measure where we are and where we need to be. We must also remember we are human and if we blow it today, we can realize it tomorrow. - 3/12/2013 10:15:51 PM
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JACK714

Good thoughts, I would have liked to have seen a sample statement. - 12/13/2012 4:04:34 PM
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CECELW

Dean has such good wisdom. This is a good idea. Planning out the day took me some practice, but it does work. - 11/2/2012 10:48:58 AM
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SHANTI66

Dean, your journey was for a reason. Your help here is invaluable and you are much beloved. I'm so glad you found your place in this world "after 50". I don't mean that to sound condescending (if it does), it's just, as you know, a lot of people struggle to find the best way to contribute their vast life experience with such grace as you have. I love your articles; you truly have found your voice and they resonate with so many of us Sparkers! Keep writing: we want more of you :-) And we apply what you say! What better thanks could there be? xo - 10/2/2012 7:44:46 PM
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ELAINEANNE1

Yes we all need something to work too and mine is my health as without it you cannot do anything else. - 8/8/2012 1:41:11 PM
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MRGIBBS2

You need to have goele's to get want you want in life, and being in good health is a veary big one. - 7/1/2012 6:55:22 PM
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LOSINITBY30

Dean Anderson's articles are a motivational gold mine! And he's been through all this with us so he understands even better! - 8/2/2011 10:26:13 AM
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SHANTIPEN

I absolutely love Dean Anderson`s articles. Everything he says helps me to have clarity and understanding in the way i think about food, the way i use food as an emotional tool and to be finally be honest about myself and find ways to deal with my stress levels when i am frustrated about my weight loss every few weeks. Thank you Dean, your advice is invaluable and helping to slowly but surely change. - 5/9/2011 11:48:18 AM
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CHARLEEE3

I'm finding the articles in "Mind Over Body" to be agreat help as I'm getting back on track. I lost 25 lbs, about 1/2 of it before I discovered SP. Then I started graduate school (at age 58) and was dealing with some family issues at home, so I've just been trying to maintain. I did well until this last month or so, when I've gained back about 5 lbs. That scared me, plus I'm used to my new study program and my home situation is better, so I'm ready to lose the 5 I've gained plus the next 25. Anyway, Dean's articles are usually helpful, but especially this series, I think. Thanks! - 5/7/2011 4:25:23 PM
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PIXIESTIX6669

Fabulous article...this technique works in all areas of your life, not just weight loss... - 5/6/2011 8:36:25 AM
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TINADOUS

I think goal setting is soo important! Good article. - 5/6/2011 8:32:17 AM
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MISSNUGGY

EXCELLENT ARTICLE. - 4/23/2011 7:41:08 AM
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S-CSCHWEI3

I think this is the first time I've ever read any of Dean's articles, now I'm just eating them up today. I've been very stressed lately, most of which doesn't even relate to the weight loss because I'm actually really happy with how that's going. I'm finding that these articles, while they are great tips for weight loss, are also really helpful with helping to really focus and center my mind and actions around what is important to me in other respects. I think this is really going to help me be truly committed to not only my weight loss goals, but the other goals in my life. Thank you so much for this article; today was the perfect day to discover it. - 3/30/2011 6:01:33 PM
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CHELSEAANNE8

I wrote out my vision statement and it feels great! Thanks for the idea.

Chelsea

Leader of "Sparking with multiple sclerosis" - 9/22/2010 11:37:17 AM
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