This one trick might help you lose twice as much weight without any extra effort

pulse

May 4, 2017 9:03 AM

Get your head in the game, girl.

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The motivational quote you might want to start using as your weight loss mantra is "shoot for the moon and youll land amongst the stars."

#aw And it doesn't just sound ~inspirational~. According to recent research, setting your weight loss goal high sets you up to lose more weight overall.

In a new study, 46 women who predicted they'd shed more weight over a 27-week diet period dropped more lbs (37 on average) than those with less lofty targets (who lost as little as 13); they were also more likely to have maintained their loss at a one-year check-in. This challenges the common belief that setting higher-reaching goals could make dieters abandon ship.

Victoria A. Catenacci, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, says the findings may inspire a new weight-loss strategy: Set an ambitious big-picture goal, then celebrate at smaller incremental points (Catenacci suggests up to 10 percent of your weight in six months). "You'll make progress toward your major goal, but your success along the way will provide ongoing motivation." (Speed up your progress towards your weight-loss goals with Women's Health's Look Better Naked DVD.)

This article originally appeared in the May 2017 issue of Women's Health. For more great advice, pick up a copy of the issue on newsstands now!

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