Here's how to break through the finish line

“You keep setting goals but never quite seem to reach them. Here's how to break through the finish line.”

I'm going to lose weight! My goal is 40 pounds by next month. Ready, set, go!
Setting goals is great, but there are a few ground rules that will help you succeed at hitting them.
1) Be realistic. Unless you are on the Biggest Loser and being monitored daily by a medical team, you're not going to (and shouldn't) lose a huge amount of weight in a short time frame.
2) Bite size. Chop up your goals into smaller pieces. Instead of "Lose 40 pounds by Christmas!" shoot for "Loose 10 pounds by the end of the month" or "Lose weight each week."
3) Make a plan. The goal of "Lose 10 pounds by the end of the month..." should be followed with "by going to the gym three times a week and eating right." Then define what eating right is and mark on the calendar what three days you are going to go to the gym and what time.
4) Plan B. Think about what you're going to do if you don't hit your goal. If you're goal is 10 pounds in a month and you only lose 5, don't throw in the towel. Simply modify your plan with the knowledge you gained.