Relapse Mistake #2: Unrealistic Deadlines

Many authorities tell us that unrealistic weight goals are one of the biggest causes of failure and relapse. There is truth in that, but provided that body composition is kept in mind, I think the real problem is unrealistic deadlines, more so than unrealistic goals.

Many people sell themselves short and don't set their fitness standards high enough. Puny goals and low standards are set for one main purpose-FEAR. By setting low standards, you don't risk disappointment. You can play it safe if you choose, but that is accepting mediocrity.

To calculate the time frame, divide your amount of weight loss desired by the ideal weekly weight loss target of two pounds per week. If you want to drop thirty pounds, at two pounds per week, that's fifteen weeks. If you factor in some water weight loss, or above average fat loss, you might get there by twelve weeks. But, if your goal is thirty pounds in thirty days, you'd better think twice about that deadline. Even if you met that deadline by dropping large amounts of water and lean tissue, it would have been counterproductive because there's a direct correlation between speed of weight loss and relapse.