What to do when you don't meet your goal

ifeelsqueaky

I set myself a goal at the start of the year to lose 10 lbs by Valentines day. At first it was easy and I was losing 2 or 3 pounds a week so it seemed like I would lose 10 lbs and then some, but the last few weeks things have slowed down and I didn't make it. I almost did - I lost 9.6 lbs - and I am still pretty chuffed but there's something so disappointing about not being able to add a 'met' to that statement in my signature... I kind of feel like I'm being ridiculous over 0.4 lbs, after all 9.6 lbs is still a good amount of weight but I want that satisfaction To try and cheer myself up I bought myself a ring over the weekend to celebrate the fact that I've still done really well but it kind of feels like I don't deserve it.

How do you deal with not meeting your goals?

Matt_S_1978

Life is not constant. Set another goal and try to reach that one. So long as you are trying then you are doing something to achieve it.

It was the same when I wanted to become a dj. I set my 5 goals. I achieved them all within 5 years but it took some hard work, some luck and took me on some crazy, bizarre and damn right fun adventures along the way. But I always kept going for my goals. I need to set some new ones apart from weight loss.

Black_Swan

I set myself one big goal for 11.6. when my ex comes back from a 5-month trip, but its such an awesome goal that Ill be happy if I even come close to it!
Otherwise I have only weekly goals of 1lb, because I know thats simply my normal speed of weight loss, at least in the beginning.

I think you are totally there, 0.4lb is NOTHING, its like...maybe you need to pee or something? Haha... its really tiny...! So be happy, I think you totally made it:)!

innerfashionista

I can't put a time limit on my goals. I'm way too hard on myself, and if I don't make it, I'll beat myself up. Have you instead thought about measuring your goals by weight lost instead of a time frame? It keeps me motivated, and it's a little easier for ME to reach. I do have an idea of where I'd like to be around a certain time, but I don't make that my goal. I'd like to be down about 50 pounds by May (my Disney trip) but that's not a "goal."

ukgirly01

Dont worry about it, goals are a great motivator and even if you haven't reached it at least you've lost some weight, be pleased with the pounds you've lost not despondent about the pounds you haven't

huizenm

If you round UP, then you made it!! Don't be so hard on yourself. That is a "Met" if you ask me. Great job!

Holton

I never set a time frame for my weight loss, I just knew I wanted to lose 40+ pounds and wanted to do it in a healthy way, which required time. I just celebrated weekly when I weighed in and saw I had lost anywhere from .5 to 5 pounds. Don't be disappointed you didn't meet your exact goal. You have made great progress!

MontanaB

give yourself another week and see how you do next week - you might drop 2lbs next week which would definitely mean you met your goal - honestly 0.4lbs is nothing really compared to the other 9.6 you have dropped - be proud of yourself !!

well done

makeitallsue

For me the scale does not cooperate and if I were to count on it...I would be depressed BIGTIME!! I have been on this journey all my life. I have had great years and not so great years. I got serious again about 3-4 years ago...the first year, the weigh came off pretty good, the second , about half...this last year...almost a standstill and that is with only missing 2 days of fitness ALL year! I still have about 40 pounds to loose, so it gets frustrating...but

I try to set different goals, amount in poundage that I can lift, how many pushups I can pump out in a minute, how fast I can run a mile, or 5k, or 10k, how my flexibility is improving, how my clothes fit, how I feel

I say if you have lost close to 10 pounds this year....celebrate it!! A ring is a good way to show yourself love for a job well done!!

Texaganian

Celebrate! Don't beat yourself up about 6 ounces. On an old scale you wouldn't have even been able to measure your "shortfall".

madijo41

I never set a time frame for my weight loss, I just knew I wanted to lose 40+ pounds and wanted to do it in a healthy way, which required time. I just celebrated weekly when I weighed in and saw I had lost anywhere from .5 to 5 pounds. Don't be disappointed you didn't meet your exact goal. You have made great progress!

Great thread.

I think I am going to adopt this. Celebrate a loss, instead of bemoaning that it was not enough.

myofibril

I never set a time frame for my weight loss, I just knew I wanted to lose 40+ pounds and wanted to do it in a healthy way, which required time. I just celebrated weekly when I weighed in and saw I had lost anywhere from .5 to 5 pounds. Don't be disappointed you didn't meet your exact goal. You have made great progress!

I think this is a great mindset to adopt and will lead to long term success.

The weight on the scale is so arbitary and prone to fluctuation that trying to pin a specific figure on to it will just lead to unecessary headache. It's like trying to hit a constantly miving target.

My goals these days are very much non scale related. To increase the weight of my lifts, to increase the distance I am riding in the same amount of time on a stationary bike, to eat just a little more healthily than I did last week. I know if I keep the basics in place (eating at a reasoanble calorie deficit, eating nutritious food 90% of the time, moderate exercise, well hydrated and adequate rest) that fat loss will be occurring no matter what the scale says. It makes life far more fun and enjoyable.

I haven't weighed myself in a couple of weeks. I may do so at the end of the month just to ensure I am heading in the right direction or I may not. If I can see from my food logs and exercise diary that I have kept the right things in place then I probably won't as it is redundant information.

sars_68

In my eyes you met your goal!!! Don't be so tough on yourself and enjoy the ring!!

:flowerforyou: :drinker:

lesley1981

I honestly wouldn't worry too much! You're so close to your goal that it really doesn't make any difference.

I never usually put a time limit on my goal, as I almost feel under pressure to lose the weight! The weight will come off, but in it's own time

ifeelsqueaky

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement! I feel so much better already.

I have rephrased my goals as I think you're right, putting a date on it is a risky strategy. I am instead going to focus on the fact that I am eating healthier and exercising more than I have in a long time and I feel so much better than I did over Christmas. All these things are so positive, there really is no need to feel disappointed over 0.4 lbs!

I feel ready to attack this from a whole new angle now - thanks everyone

nerdyandilikeit

I totally agree with not factoring time into your goals. Its exactly what I'm doing, because there are too many factors that could effect time, and I know I would beat myself up, too.