The psychology of completion

55in13

I started thinking about this tonight while running. One shoe came untied and it really annoyed me because I was on mile 5 of 7 and had not stopped or walked. Earlier this year, this was a big deal; it took me from January until April to run a full 5k. It felt really good to complete the C25K. Now, my longest run without stopping or walking is 10 miles and I have done a few 6 to 8 complete runs. It really isn't a big deal to stop and tie a shoe; I am just out jogging. But it bugged me; I wanted to complete the run.

It also bugs me that I decided to stretch my goal. If you notice, my handle is 55in13. That's because I turn 55 later this year and my goal was to lose 55 pounds before that. But my ticker now says 60. That's because I decided what was my goal should be my upper limit in maintenance, 5 pounds above goal. I was so close to completion; now I am further away (not that far; I will make it, but I am purposefully slowing rate of loss).

I think the ticker is important, BTW, because it can be completed. Far better for me than some vague goal of having old pants fit (they already do :bigsmile: ) or I not being embarrassed to be at the pool.

Anyone else have this hangup with having to complete things?

55in13

Am I the only one, or did it just drift off the first page unread?

stuffinmuffin

Hi! I normally find that if I push myself in this way (and yes, I have been there) that it becomes a recipe for failure. Through this quite long journey now (I have been with MFP for 2 years - 6 months to lose 2 stone, 1.5yrs for learn how to maintain - and STILL learning!) I have found that one of the best things to realise is that I had to make things enjoyable.

For example:

Running. I totally quit running at the end of last year, it was making me so dam miserable. I'd set targets and achieved them and got stuck in this rut of making myself go for a run and making myself constantly have to achieve a certain goal each time. I used to dread running and had completely forgotten how to enjoy it. I'm back at it again, and much of it is down to a friend who wanted to start running and wanted me to go with her. I've learned that it's OK to walk for a bit...I know take it easy, take in the meditative quality of running and I also hold my phone in my hand so if I see something beautiful to take a photo of, I stop and take it. I'm planning to do another half marathon but I'm going to do it at my own pace and not take things (and myself) so seriously. This is a long term sport/hobby that I want to do for years to come, so crippling myself over it now is not going to do any good.

Food. Have done the whole 'eat only healthy stuff'. You know what, I like chocolate! And yes, I am going to eat it, when I fancy it and not set myself stupid dietary rules of 'only eat this', sugar is the devil', etc. I fell off the wagon too many times under this rule. Besides I burn too many calories a day to just fill my body with lettuce!

Goal weight. That 'just happened'. It's below my original goal and to be honest, it is something you will only decide WHEN you get there. So chill out, it will happen and you will know how you feel then, not now and decide on whether to maintain or not. Losing weight can become slightly addictive and something you get used to. Learning to maintain is hard, it's a totally new journey and it surprises a lot of people when they come to it.

Enjoy each stage of this journey - it's all about learning new habits that you take through with you into the rest of your life. I have learned so much and most of it has been enjoyable. I've pushed myself, I've failed, I've succeeded but most of all I have learned some great habits and tools and I know I will never go back to being that slightly chunky chain smoker I was three years back!

phieaglefan

I too suffer from the type of psychological compulsion you describe. If I'm on the treadmill and have to stop or get off for a second, even though it won't really take away from my workout, I get agitated.

For me, I think it stems from a competition frame of mind, and also a need to be accountable. For instance, when I got serious about my weight loss earlier this year, I turned to Jenny Craig. Although some may scoff at such a proposal, I knew from experience, that if you put me in a situation where I need to be accountable in a big way for what the scale says, that I would do well losing the weight. And I did. (After I hit my goal, I lowered it again and have been continuing sans Jenny, just using MFP)

Even though it's an annoyance, I actually think this frame of mind can be helpful, especially for exercise inducement.

ShaniWulffe

I get very competitive in dance, if that's what you mean? Haha

55in13

Even though it's an annoyance, I actually think this frame of mind can be helpful, especially for exercise inducement.

I agree. It doesn't keep me from enjoying running. I am annoyed when it happens but I don't feel like it was a wasted effort.

kju52

for me it kind of feels like... i am in competition with myself. i never had it when i first started working out but later on after 1-2 years i wanna say, as i was really getting into it, running, bodybuilding etc etc.. i also developed it.. whenever i bettered myself i would have my top data in my head and would try to ''beat'' myself. i found it to be the most intense when doing things like running outdoors.. after a while though it had led me to literally ''beat'' myself down .. not stopping until i burned at least 1500 calories and things got a liiiiittle crazy .. i was overtraining and suffering from it mentally & physically. now i'm trying to take things slower .. really, it's simply about how you feel and listening to your body, if you feel good and u have clear judgement then i think it is absolutely fine and it just comes with the territory of being something like an athlete for the first time in your life and it's a healthy mindset that'll make you push harder.
so, nothing wrong with setting higher goals or expectations for yourself....
anyways, i DO know what you're talking about