How often do we say, “I just want to lose a bit of weight,” or “I really want to tone up,” as if there’s a magic switch somewhere. And while that’s fair enough – we all want to feel a bit better in our clothes and a bit sprightlier getting up the stairs – it’s not really the full story, is it?

Here’s the thing. I don’t think getting lean or getting as strong as possible or fitting into a certain piece of clothing should be your main goal. I think that ignoring that big goal would give you a far better chance of achieving it. Controversial? Maybe. But hear me out…

🎯 Why Fixating on the End Result Can Be a Bit of a Red Herring

We often think that if we just get to a certain number on the scales, or squeeze into that old pair of jeans, everything will click into place. Job done, happy days. But actually, chasing a particular look can sometimes take us away from the healthy habits that truly make a difference.

Why? Because being lean isn’t something you wish for, or force into existence by sheer willpower. You can’t just hope yourself into feeling better. Being lean or strong or healthy (or all of those things) is what happens when you live in a way that supports your health – moving your body, fuelling it well, sleeping properly, and looking after your head as much as your waistline.

It’s the side effect of living in a way that suits your body and mind.

Some of us also have the added curse of self sabotage; completely subconscious, but it is there. As we approach our target weight or size or body fat percentage there may well be the feeling that “Oh well, we are almost there, so time to take the foot off the pedal a little bit.” And then the drift away from that outcome goal begins.

🛠️ Enter the Mighty Process Goal

Here’s where process goals come into their own. Rather than saying, “I want to lose a stone,” what if your goal was to “go for a brisk walk every lunchtime” or “cook from scratch four nights a week” or “get a couple of workouts in this week”? These are things you can actually do – this week, today, now. And if you keep doing them, they start to build momentum.

They’re not glamorous. They’re not headline-grabbing. But they work.

The best bit? When you enjoy the process – when you genuinely start to like moving and exercising more, eating better, sleeping longer – you don’t have to constantly “motivate” yourself. You just do it. And over time, you start to become the kind of person who lives healthily. The results follow. No daft diets. No shortcuts. No drama.

🔍 Find Your ‘Why’

If your only reason for exercising is to drop a dress size, what happens when you get there? Do you just stop? Like brushing your teeth once and never doing it again. Bit daft, really.

So, try this: ask yourself why you want to get lean. Not just the surface answer – dig deeper. Why does that matter? What would it allow you to do? How would that feel? Keep asking until you hit something real. That’s the good stuff – the stuff that really matters to you, and will keep you going far longer than that initial surface answer.

💬 Final Thought: It’s the Doing That Matters

Here’s the bottom line. If you focus on how you live, rather than how you look, your body will naturally reflect that over time. Living well isn’t about punishment or perfection. It’s about small, meaningful actions done often – and ideally, done with a smile on your face.

So forget the scales. Forget the six-pack. Think instead: “What can I do today that supports the kind of life I want to live?” Do that, and the results will sort themselves out.

You’re not just chasing a body. You’re building a lifestyle. And honestly? That’s way more rewarding.

If you’d like a bit of help figuring out what that looks like for you, and how to actually enjoy the process (yes, really!) I’d love to hear from you. If you’ve read this far, you’re clearly ready to do something meaningful. So stop waiting for Monday, or next month, or some magic motivation. Just get going.