There’s a delicate balance between loving yourself and wanting to change things about yourself. Wanting to change the way your body looks by losing weight does not always equate to hating your body or yourself. For a lot of people, like myself, I love my body and I know that losing weight is a way to take better care of it. While I’ve set a goal of how many pounds I want to lose, I’m more concerned about improving my healthy, and whatever body results – so be it.

I was really inspired by Oprah’s interview in Weight Watchers magazine, where she reveals the secret to her recent 42 pound weight loss was less about the scale and more about her mindset. “When the weight started to come off, I needed to get clear on my intention. I could lose weight to fit a dress size, or attend an event, or to make other people like me. But I couldn’t keep it off for those reasons. I always put the weight back on. This time I changed the intention to, ‘I want to be the healthiest I can be – physically, emotionally, spiritually.’ So the process and purpose of losing shifted for me,” Winfrey told Weight Watchers. “It was easier, because my intention was clearer.”

“Before, when I was 150 pounds, I’d imagine getting up to 200 lbs., and think, ‘Oh my God.’ But now I think, ‘I never thought that at 200 lbs. I could look in the mirror and love my body, love myself, not chide and minimize myself for being 200 lbs.’ At 200 lbs., I was OK. I have never, ever, ever been at that point. And then at 190 lbs., I was OK. If I don’t lose another pound right now, I’m still OK,” Winfrey said. “The fullness of life, the fullness of being, the self-acceptance — I’d never done that before. I’d always beaten myself up because I was tied to a number.”

I’m with Oprah. I’m here for looking and feeling my best, and continuing to love the person I am way more than the body I’m in. So why am I trying to lose weight? Why did I even set a weight loss goal? Because I know that right now, I weight just under 172 pounds right now. But I have weighed 125 pounds, and even less when I was 18-20 years old. What’s the difference? When I weighed 125, I was eating healthy, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, getting lots of sleep, and not as stressed. Now, I’m not. I’m not treating my body well, and as a result, I’ve gained weight. So I know that by treating my body better, weight loss is inevitable. The pounds are just a measurable way to see that I’m treating my body much better.

Need some tips on how to set your weight loss goals and still stay body positive? Here are some tips from health and fitness experts and bloggers that you can apply!

Tip #1: Setting fitness goals is an empowering and body positive endeavor. It doesnt mean you hate your body. It means you love yourself and your body and want to improve it and make it healthier. Weight loss goals can be body positive by focusing on things your body can do at lower weights (or healthier body composition) like fit a certain size, do a split, run a mile without stopping, go down a rung on your belt, etc.
Dani, Ok Dani

Tip #2: Be realistic – know that change will not come overnight.
Tamara, Simply T Nicole

Tip #3: Take before and after pics to see your progress. Set realistic monthly goals. Do not weigh yourself everyday. Don’t rush the process, enjoy the process. Educate yourself to know what is best for your body when it comes to exercise and nutrition.
Bobbie, It’s Bobbie’s World

Tip #4: Start by leaning about what you are eating and drink. Read all the labels in your pantry and your fridge. Look at expiration dates and ingredients you do not recognize. If you do not know an ingredient google it to make sure it is safe, if not toss it. Do not compare yourself to other people. This is your journey and you have to move at your own pace. During the first 2 months focus on yourself and make yourself your own competition.
Yenory, I Am Healthy Fit

Tip #5: It all starts with a change in mindset. If there isn’t a shift in mindset, change will not be permanent. Before you can set a goal, take a moment and think about your WHY. Why do I want to live a fit and healthy lifestyle? What will I gain by changing my habits? Create a big goal and mini goals that lead to the big goal, keeping your WHY in mind. Lastly, love yourself along the way no matter where you are on the journey. Create a positive affirmation(s) to keep you fueled up and motivate to reach success!
Tiffany, Loose The Power Within

Tip #6: Make yourself accountable by working out with friends or joining a class or boot camp that you pay for. Sometimes feeling like you are obligated to something makes you feel more committed/invested and therefore more likely to achieve your fitness goals.
Lia, Lia World Traveler

Tip #7: It’s best to set overall health goals with a comprehensive program including healthy nutrition, exercise (strength & cardiovascular training), adequate sleep, stress reduction and hormonal balance. Weight loss will ultimately be a byproduct of living well. Also, being educated on the different body types will give a clear understanding of genetics and how the body functions and looks within healthy parameters.
Marnice, D4gFit

Tip #8: Set realistic goals. Work out 15min for 5 days a week. When I realized I didn’t have to work out that long I felt motivated. Don’t forget drink a lot of water, I struggled at first but then I downloaded the Plant Nanny App and the rest was history!
Skye, Thrive Lounge

Tip #9: Set realistic goals with actionable bite sized goals you can tackle from week to week. Remember that your body is going to do what YOUR body is meant to do, not what someone else’s is meant to. Love YOUR body and do what IT needs to operate at its highest functioning level.
LaShawn, It’s Shawn

These ladies are right on point, and these tips will hopefully inspire you to set your health and fitness goals for this year. And if one of those goals involves weight loss, than go for it. You can do this! Got more tips? Leave your tips below!