Basic Pursuits

Lifehacker, one of my favorite reads, recently referenced a blog that enjoins us to set specific goals like, "I will lose 10 lbs." rather that vague goals like "I'm going to lose some weight."

So it's a little surprising that Lifehacker, a big proponent of Getting Things Done, David Allen's productivity bible, let that pass. Because losing weight, whether or not it's a specific amount, is not really a goal. It's a project. Losing weight happens after you accomplish several, specific ACTIONABLE goals. It is accomplished not by measuring clothes' sizes or weighing. It is accomplished, for example, by measuring how much you eat.

Here are some measurable, actionable goals:

1. Learn how many calories you are eating now. Why? Because you need to know specifically what got you into the shape you are now in so you can avoid it in the future. Counting calories is easy. Any number of software programs are available. One of the best is Cron-O-Meter, which is absolutely free.
2. Cut back on the calories you are consuming. Start slowly with a low figure like 10 percent of your daily intake. You will never dominate your body's primary survival urges by cutting too many calories. They dominate you. However, you can strike a reasonable deal with your body. Cut back on calories slowly and in small increments. You'll feel good about yourself and your body will feel better. You will create a positive feedback loop. Always eat enough so that you are not hungry all the time. Hunger wins.
3. Cut back on cheap carbs, meaning sugar and starch. You will be less hungry and you will lose no important nutrients.
4. Fill in the nutrition gaps without adding back calories. Again, use a computer program like Cron-O-Meter which uses the FDA database of nutritional values. Why? So you can learn what to eat for the rest of your life to stay thin and healthy.

So let's measure.

1. Have you figure out how much your are eating? Mission accomplished.
2. Have you cut back a small amount so that you are not uncomfortably hungry? Mission accomplished.
3. Have you cut back on sugar and starch? Mission accomplished.
4. Are you eating better? Finding ways to get more nutrients with fewer calories? Mission accomplished.

The results: your weight is dropping. It is dropping in an irregular pattern, but it's trending downwards. And it will continue as long as you incrementally reduce your calories and maintain your nutrition.

Setting a goal to lose weight is no more than a glorified wish. Set the goals to do what must be done and the weight will take care of itself.

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