How to have realistic but motivating goals

meggiemaye

Hey all!

As you can see below I have a goal of losing a smidge over 45 pounds by my 23rd birthday in 2012 (just in time for the world to end, right? :laugh:).

I showed my boyfriend the little icon I made below because I was so proud of it and he questioned whether my goal was actually put too far out there, and wouldn't be enough of a motivation for me. He reminded me that only about 13 months ago I weighed 130 pounds, so he wondered whether that should be my same rough timeline for losing a little less than the weight I've put on.

I definitely saw his point, but I'm hesitant. When I joined in December, I feel like I had unreasonable goals (I also had mini-goals like I saw people on the forums doing), and every time I passed a mini-goal without achieving it I got more and more depressed, until I finally quit the site for over two months, until I got re-motivated.

The catch is that I have cancer, which is basically how I wound up putting the weight on. I wasn't allowed to exercise and I was put on medication to help me put on weight because they were afraid that at 130 pounds, during chemo I might get down to an unhealthy weight. The reverse happened!

So now I'm wondering whether my goal is one that is realistic but also enough to motivate me, since it's such a distant goal.

What do you think? This site has saved my life and I depend so much on the support I get here. I can't wait to hear what you all have to say. And also, please add me if you feel inclined!

talysshade

I think it's definitely a realistic goal. My goal, i've given myself a year to achieve, but at the rate it's going right now it's going much faster than that and i'm feeling great, because now i feel i might make it long before i wished.

However, you've got to make sure that the scale shows a lower amount each time you step on it, otherwise you might indeed lose motivation. So keep going and whatever you do, don't eat a lot one day and say "ah.. it's ok, my goal is still so far of". Stick to the goal, but sometimes pretend it's earlier.

rissadiane

I think it's definitely realistic! Just celebrate your victories, and don't beat yourself up when you have bad days, because we're all human and make mistakes. Keep track of your weight loss where you can see it, and use pictures to keep you motivated so you can visually see how far you've come.
Best of luck to you! :flowerforyou:

meggiemaye

Thanks you guys! I really appreciate it!

So keep going and whatever you do, don't eat a lot one day and say "ah.. it's ok, my goal is still so far of".

This was what I was afraid of...that if my goal was tooo far off, I'd be like, "Ah, whatever!" But I know there will be lots of visits to the in-laws' river house (ahhhh bathing suit nooooo) and things like that to keep me motivated along the way.

jknops2

Yes, I would keep the weekly loss small. Looking at the statistics, it is even harder to keep the weight off over time than losing it. I think too many people lose their weight too fast, and then either give up before they get their or after they reach their goal, reward themselves by eating what they ate before. Hence they are back at their starting weight in no time. Kind of depressing, that that is what is going to happen to the majority of us people trying to lose weight.

I think that if you are overweight, you need to change how much, and for many people, what you eat for the rest of your life. Make that your goal, not just getting to a specific number. And I think this is easier achieved by making small, sustainable changes, with a corresponding small weight loss.

You might want to have a look at "The Hacker's Diet". http://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/

froglegjack

I think your goal is very realistic. I agree that the weight should come off slowly. You may surprise yourself and and lose some faster than you think. Congratulations on your moxie and starting again

chubswonky

We actually have the same current weight and goal weight

In all honesty, my *deadline* for myself was my nephew's birthday in September, so not far off from you at all. We didn't gain our weight over night so we can't expect to lose it that quickly either. Maybe try working on the mini-goals again to keep you on track if you're afraid you're going to think it's too far away!

NotAllWhoWanderAreLost

Here is a breakdown of how *I* think it might be healthy for your weight loss goal, considering 45 will get you to goal, YOUR 45 lbs is not the same as someone with much more to lose's 45 lbs...

lose 2 lbs/wek for 5 weeks = 10 lbs
lose 1.5 lbs/week for 10 weeks = 15 lbs
lose 1.0 lbs/week for 10 weeks = 10 lbs
lose 0.5 lbs/week for 20 weeks = 10 lbs
(add in a few weeks here and there for the inevitable plateaus)
total weight loss = 45 lbs in 45 weeks + a few extra weeks for the plateaus and occasional set-backs (holidays, etc).

I would say a year of consistent effort will get you there

You will start off with a faster, more aggressive weight loss and will scale back to a very conservative weight loss goal as you approach your goal. This will help you protect your lean muscle mass and will help you transition successfully into maintenance mode. Because you were recently ill (glad you are feeling better, btw!!!!) you need to take the slow & smart road. EVERYONE SHOULD do that, but many/most are impatient.

Concentrate on a healthy, moderate exercise plan, take a high-quality food-based multivitamin, stay well hydrated, pay attention to your sodium, carb/protein/fat ratio and look at areas where you can eat "cleaner".

mkennedym

best thing you can do is if you want to lose 50 lbs, make small goals and not make 50 lbs the only goal (50 lbs can be the overall goal of your weight loss). make each mini goal bigger than the last goal.

Like(cumulative)
goal 1: 3 lbs
goal 2: 5 lbs (8 lbs total)
goal 3: 9 lbs (17 lbs total)
goal 4: 15 lbs(32 lbs total)
goal 5: 18 lbs (50 lbs total)

there you have it. each time you accomplish one of your goals treat yourself with something (not food related). like a small vacation (if you can afford it), clothes, jewelry or whatever you like. don't reward yourself with anything UNTIL you accomplish one of your goals. that means, don't buy stuff for yourself or get yourself anything or go out to eat or do anything unless your goal is accomplished. that way you are associating success in weight loss with reward and it will mean more to you each time you accomplish something.

NotAllWhoWanderAreLost

best thing you can do is if you want to lose 50 lbs, make small goals and not make 50 lbs the only goal (50 lbs can be the overall goal of your weight loss). make each mini goal bigger than the last goal.

Like(cumulative)
goal 1: 3 lbs
goal 2: 5 lbs (8 lbs total)
goal 3: 9 lbs (17 lbs total)
goal 4: 15 lbs(32 lbs total)
goal 5: 18 lbs (50 lbs total)

there you have it. each time you accomplish one of your goals treat yourself with something (not food related). like a small vacation (if you can afford it), clothes, jewelry or whatever you like. don't reward yourself with anything UNTIL you accomplish one of your goals. that means, don't buy stuff for yourself or get yourself anything or go out to eat or do anything unless your goal is accomplished. that way you are associating success in weight loss with reward and it will mean more to you each time you accomplish something.

thats cool, except i would flip it on its head, making the first 18 a mini-goal, then 15 more, then 9 more, then 5 more, then the final 3 ... The timeframe to lose those final pounds would make it an EXTREMELY long time between goals 4 & 5 otherwise. If you think you want a fast goal setting out (to set the ball in motion), set a first mini-goal of 7 or 8 lbs and make it just a small fitness-related gizmo for yourself to faciltitate your future losses

mkennedym

nah, the reason i do it that way is so you see yourself achieving goals at the beginning quickly and then slowly work it up to larger goals. you could always do a mix of your way and my way, have small goals at the beginning, larger goals in the middle, and back to smaller goals at the end.

i think it is important for people looking to achieve weight loss goals to get some positive reinforcement (through the achievement of small weight loss goals) at the beginning of their journey. most people ultimately quit their dieting plans in the early stages of their weight loss due to the fact they don't see a big enough achievement. a small, early weight loss goal like 3 lbs makes you feel like the next goal is within reach and you are leaving your old self behind.

NotAllWhoWanderAreLost

nah, the reason i do it that way is so you see yourself achieving goals at the beginning quickly and then slowly work it up to larger goals. you could always do a mix of your way and my way, have small goals at the beginning, larger goals in the middle, and back to smaller goals at the end.

i think it is important for people looking to achieve weight loss goals to get some positive reinforcement (through the achievement of small weight loss goals) at the beginning of their journey. most people ultimately quit their dieting plans in the early stages of their weight loss due to the fact they don't see a big enough achievement. a small, early weight loss goal like 3 lbs makes you feel like the next goal is within reach and you are leaving your old self behind.

true that!! :drinker: