Help with Realistic Goals

hmmckim1128

I have set a goal of 50 pounds by Christmas. I started 10 days ago and am down 6 pounds. That leaves me 81 days to drop the other 44 pounds. I worry if I have set a goal that is unattainable and if so how I will handle it if I don’t reach that goal.

I have come to realize that I am horrible at setting goals for myself and would like some ideas on some mini goals to set between now and then to feel a sense of accomplishment so I don’t get discouraged and give up.

Any ideas on what these goals should be and how long I should give myself to accomplish them? I think a combination of weight and fitness goals would be best but don’t know what would be considered reasonable.

Any help would be appreciated.

russelljclarke

Not impossible, but very ambitious.....

flausa

Develop some smaller, more tangible targets and make sure you have some that aren't weight-related. Have some weekly and monthly goals. Have some fitness and food goals. And learn to appreciate the journey along the way not just the end destination.

mgmlap

So is 50 pound loss your ultimate goal? I would say do mini-goals..and go from there. I think taking that huge a chunk can be hard..because it will seem as if it is taking forever.

Break it down to 10 pound goals...may make it more attainable.

I dont thik its impossible..but its very ambitious....

GinNouveau

I'm interested in the responses...and btw 6 pounds in 10 days is a really big loss

Daisy374

Well personally, I don't like to set 'pounds' goals. Some months my scale doesn't go down much, and others it goes quicker... there are a lot of things that affect it... so I set different goals for myself... such as drinking at least 8 cups of water each day, or trying to work out at least 30 minutes every day... stuff like that. I find that when I set a goal to lose a certain amount of weight, I don't succeed as well. I think it is because I become too focused on the numbers instead of making sure I do what I am supposed to do. I think 44 lbs in 81 days is a tough goal...but then you may lose easier than me Good luck!!

nel0311

I think that you can do it, if you really work at it. but that leaves no room for cheating and really watching what you eat during Thanksgiving. Not to mention some heavy excercise. you dont want to over work your body. 50 is a lot so if you do not make it there on exactly Christmas, just be happy where you are and keep on going. giving up will only put you right back where you started. just think of how that makes you feel. Good luck.

daves160

That's a half pound per day! Hey, I say shoot for the stars, and if you make it to the moon, you are that much closer.

Even if you don't quite make it to that goal, you will have succeeded in getting rid of much unwanted weight.

aujourdhui1

How long have you been trying to lose weight? How many times have you tried to lose weight? If the answer to the questions are a long time and many times, then setting a goal of 50 pounds by Christmas is not realistic. Setting a goal to do the best you can is realistic. I have problems losing weight because I become self destructive and sabotage myself all the time. It is so hard. I try and try and sometimes I do well and sometimes I don't. It is so hard isn't it.

Shannon023

If you're the type who gets discouraged easily, then see how you do with a month under your belt. That way you'll be able to gauge how doable the remaining pounds are.

Don't forget to consider the holidays too if you have big family gatherings.

Good luck! :flowerforyou:

hmmckim1128

My ultimate goal is 75-85 pounds, but my first big milestone is the 50 pound mark. I have yet to set a time frame for my final goal bc I have no clue how long is a reasonable amount of time. Plus I'm not 100% sure of what I want my goal weight to be. I'm 5'9 and I'm a larger framed woman. Even back in high school when I was working out 6 days a week for 3+ hours a day I never was smaller then a size 12, but I can't remember my weight back then....too many years have passed. lol.

I am currently drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day, gave up sodas, lowered my net calories to between 900-1200 a day, go for a very brisk 30 minute walk every day on my lunch break, and I started this week running a mile in the morning to start my day. Oh and doing crunches, lunges, and push-up for strength training.

jennieodwyer

I like to set mini goal (as you can see by my signature) so that I feel like I am consistantly making progress. I also like to set somewhat conservative goals so that when I surpass them (which I usually do) I feel amazing but that is just me. I am a babysteps kind of gal :happy: Good luck!

trelm249

Wow. Big goal. It's possible.

Since Christmas is 11 weeks away and have lost 6, thats about 4 pounds a week average to go.

Personally, for myself I would shoot for 30.

Remember all that you lose is a victory.

shaj316

I originally thought of setting mine to 2lbs a week but then thought, why be so aggressive? Sure, I'd love to be at my goal by thanksgiving or xmas, but at the end of the day...I just want to get to my goal. I'm hoping doing it this way will allow me to get used to the changes to diet and exercise and perfect my work life balance to boot.

GinNouveau

Its not that I think you cant do it. You are working your butt off and I'm proud of you. I'm worried that if you only get to 30 working your hardest it will be a blow instead of the victory its supposed to be. On the flip side if you set less ambitious goals, you can always surpass it and the positivity will still be there. I met my goal and surpassed it by 10-20 pounds is a lot better for you than I missed my goal by 5. Just my opinion.

Eleanorjanethinner

Hi there,

Have you had a look at your healthy BMI range? I'm no expert but 85 pounds at 5.9 seems a bit low to me.

Also, I'd say forget everything you saw on The Biggest Loser. I don't think those contestants are not losing weight in a healthy, sustainable way at all.

MFP recommends a goal of a pound a week. If you're really keen, you could go up to two pounds a week, but remember, this should be a permanent lifestyle change. You got this way slowly, and it helps to realise that it will take time to change your body and your mind.

I agree with those saying set small goals - ten pounds at a time? And take time to celebrate and savour your progress. Quite a few people who lose significant weight seem to need to take time to reassess their self-image as they still see themselves as fat when they're not.

Good luck on your journey!