If you were going to travel to the other side of the world, you'd need to plan it. I mean, you're not going to just book a seat on a plane, take off and just take it all as it comes. You need to plan your finances, organize time off from work, get a visa, book accommodation, the list goes on.

Well, the same detail needs to be applied when you're trying to change your life.

The best way to do this is to set goals.

Goal-setting is used by all successful people. It gives them a plan of attack. It keeps them focused on the small things that must be done to achieve big dreams. It tells them precisely what they must do each day in order to succeed.

I bet when you've tried to rid yourself of excess fat in the past you've just said "I'm going to lose 10kg's...I'm going to exercise..and I'm not going to eat fat", and that is your plan.

This is why many people fail. They forget the details.

To get the details, you must answer these questions:

We'll start with the first statement: "I'm going to lose 10kg". In what time frame? If you don't have much time then that will affect how much exercise you have to do. It will also affect how strict your diet must be.

Q1. How much body fat do you need to lose?
Q2. What is the time frame? (a realistic level is 0.5-1kg per week)

Next, is the exercise. What type of exercise are you going to do? When are you going to do it? You can't achieve long-term success if you don't plan your exercise.

Q3. What type of exercise are you going to do?

Q4. What days will you do it?

Q5. What time will you do it?

Q6. Who will you do it with?

Q7. Do you need to buy any equipment?

Finally, your eating plan. You need to plan every single meal and snack. I know it's takes time but you can't succeed without it. Remember, you not only have to avoid foods high in fat, but also foods high in sugar.

Q8. What will you have for breakfast each morning?

Q9. What will you have for lunch? Do you need to prepare it the night before?

Q10. What will you have for dinner?

Q11. Do you snack? What will you snack on?

Each of these questions need to be answered if you wish to succeed. Sit down right now and do your list. Then you will have your detailed plan for successful fat loss!

About the Author
Ray Kelly has helped thousands of people achieve their weight loss goals. This article is just one part of his free '7 Day Weight Loss Course'. Sign up for the rest of the course at