Feeling overwhelmed by your own goals?

meggiemaye

I had a mini-goal of 195 lb. by January 10...now it's January 4, I'm sitting at 202.8, and I already feel like I've failed, even though I know enough about weight loss to know that this is the wrong attitude and isn't a good representation of future success.

Does anyone have any good suggestions about how to let goals be motivators, not discouragers? :sad:

I'm trying to focus on feeling my best, rather than on my poundage, but I start to see my mini-goals falling over like dominoes...no 195 on January 10, no 185 on Valentine's Day, no 170 by my Spring Gala, no 160 by my graduation...it all becomes like one big downer, as if it's impossible to catch back up to goals or stay on track when you don't feel like you're doing well.

I also have the somewhat difficult task of having an overly-supportive support system, with my boyfriend saying things like, "Look at it this way: you're one of very few people who managed to LOSE weight over the holidays! You're doing great! Let's have ramen!" :noway:

Hahaha. Ughh!! My bf and family are so supportive, they are congratulatory over every tenth of a pound, whereas I'm hoping to really feel results in the way my clothes fit...and I'm not. I know it's an uphill battle, to stay positive and everything else they tell us, but my question is still how you let weight loss goals encourage you as opposed to letting them frustrate you and get you down.

Thanks guys!

HealthyEscape

Maybe instead of focusing on "pounds lost by *insert date here*" try to find something else to keep track of. Work out 4-5x a week for 30 minutes and keep track of that. Keep track of days where you logged all your food on here. These are goals that you can really watch for EVERYDAY and keep track of, and they will lead you to the pounds lost without you focusing on them!

kristinlough

I stuck with "weight" by "date" for awhile, and stopped losing, or yo-yo-ed a bit. My new goal is at least 30 minutes of some kind of workout 6 days a week (yes, that can include cleaning), and I bet I'll see more results I say focus on what you can control. Which is calories in, calories out, honesty to yourself and exercise. Oh yea, and water and veggies!!

I know it sucks to not be at mini-goal-weight (trust me). But I guarantee you can meet your mini physical goals, and that'll probably get you closer to goal weight than just freaking out about "I'm not ___ pounds yet!!" And use us we're all in it together!

Suedre

Agreed. I always measure by the things I can control. I keep a weekly count of calories in and anytime I make it under 10,500 I feel successful. (Assuming it wasn't a killer workout week when I will give myself a few more calories). I also set fitness goals. I try to add milage each week to runs, bump my step height or bump the weights once/twice a month. Every month to two months, I will go do the elliptical for an hour at level 7. Each time, it's easier and my heart rate stays lower. That tells me I'm successful and I don't have to sweat the weight that I cant control. It will fall into place if I'm successful everywhere else.

You can do it!

melissa1977

We're not always going to lose pounds on the scale the way we'd like. Some weeks no matter what we do, it's not going to budge. Did you do all that you set out to do each day? Log your meals? Watch your calories? Do some exercise? If yes, then fantastic! If you didn't, then you know what you need to work on and you can make THAT your goal.

I know how it is to be overwhelmed. I have to lose more pounds than you currently weigh! But if we stick to it, there's no way we can't succeed, even if that scale shows us a number we don't like one week. Good luck!

Jennplus2

I have goals like eating an extra veggie everyday. Or drinking all my water. Mini goals that don't set you up to fail. Once you have the goal met, add in a new one.

meggiemaye

Thanks for all the fantastic suggestions, guys.

Risa1955

I know how you feel I joined a gym about 2 years ago and went every other day and after a year I didn't see much of a difference so I quit going and gained back what I had lost. The only difference I see is in the clothes and not much there, but I still look the same in the mirror. i decided to try this and still haven't been back to the gym but still have my membership. Started this program on the 1st so i hope it works. I'm starting off slow and not trying for big goals so when I get to my goal and pass it before time I can be proud and If I don't make it. It won't be so hard to catch up next time. I have my fingers crossed that this works.:blushing:

lostalykat

Maybe take some measurments? I think instead of trying to lose by a certain date maybe when you do lose a certain amount you get a reward. 5 pounds lost= manicure, 10lbs= New shoes. I think these kinds of rewards are great and also a good motivator. It is going to take time and it is hard. Stick to it chicka you can do this!