Why do we set time limits on ourselves?

mfp476

I know I've done this a lot, I tell myself I need to lose a certain amount of weight by a certain date. But every time it ends badly. And so I've asked myself, as long as I'm losing the weight and eventually getting healthy why should I put a time limit on it? There's so much more pressure when you know you have to do something within a certain time. You have one bad day and suddenly you feel like you'll never lose the weight in time so you try to cheat by fasting or going on some weird liquid only diet.

Do you feel a time limit motivates you more or adds more pressure?

LoraF83

Personally, I don't have a time limit. I know what my goal weight is. I have my calorie goals and exercise structured to lose about 1-1.5lbs a week. So, that gives me an idea of when I might hit my goal. But I always mentally add a month to that, to account for bumps in the road!
Time limits don't work for me. What would happen if I didn't hit it? Would I just give up? I feel much better just working towards a goal weight.....however long it takes.

spikefoot

You can look at them as limits or goals. Goals are a very healthy thing if you recognize they won't always be met but you will sure try hard to get there.

SlimSammy2012

I've found that it Challenges you to progress. I think the issue is that if your weightloss doesn't actually meet the challenge you get frustrated and don't continue and such. It's no biggie if you make the weight loss goal for that partifcular timeframe as long you work toward the loss. Just Say'n....

Phaedra2014

Time limits stress me out because they set me up for failure. Setting small goals works better.

gin_gin

I set a time limit because I wanted to be set for vacation but that didnt work im near
my goal but not at it but i figure when I get back from vacation i'll start again and
not have a limit then because vacation will be over!

christinehetz80

I had a deadline initially it helped get me focused....now nope no deadline. I have embraced living healthier every day. I'll get there when I get there. I don't have a very concrete goal weight either right now. I do have a VERY concrete body fat percentage though.

mfp476

All great posts!

christinehetz80

Oh and I also shifted from weight loss goals to fitness oriented and nutrition goals.

pastryari

Because in this day and age, it's all about instant gratification. Everyone wants it fast, immediate, RIGHT NOW. & I'll be the first to admit that I am this way plenty of the time.

OSC_ESD

~ I have nothing but time ... Enjoying every day as I comfortably progress towards my goals ... Meeting your goals is pointless, if your not happy along the way !

:flowerforyou:

rextcat

we are all masochists?

half_moon

It’s funny you posted this; I was just lamenting over the calendar. I just figured out that I have to lose two pounds a week to weigh 150 (close to my goal) by August 3, which is when I’m leaving for vacation (the thing that inspired me to get in shape in the first place). I was just sitting here with :S face, because I don’t feel like I’ll be able to keep up losing 2 pounds a week. I know my weight loss will slow down, and it’s kind of stressing me out. It’s always a constant struggle to force myself to keep doing it the healthy way—no cheats! Stay up to 1200, exercise, etc. It just makes it that much harder to give myself an “off” day if I know I have to weigh a certain amount by the end of the week to hit my goal on August 3. I’m terrified of disappointing myself! Because, then what? It’s the entire reason I go to the gym every day and push myself when I get there—The last person I want to disappoint is me. So what happens with an unreasonable goal? I guess we just have to remember not to panic. Keep on keepin on, and keep eating well and exercising every day. It’s the only way to stay healthy, and I don’t want an unhealthy goal, so I guess that’s that! Wait, am I talking to myself, again?

[/random string of thoughts that are only semi connected]

caraiselite

i don't set a date. i know i will disappoint myself.

VryIrishGirl76

It motivates me to start but in the past has ended up hindering me in the long run.
I set exercise and nutrition goals now, any weightloss as a result is just an added bonus....in theory.

gracieabem

Right now I am happy and healthy and that's a wonderful thing. I am happy with my activity levels and with my food choices even if I indulge every now and again. (Yesterday was a great example of an indulgent day if you want to have a snoop - diary is open). Yes, I have lost a lot of weight but I have gained so much more.

- a sustainable long-term lifestyle and improved relationship with food, that neither leaves me deprived or lacking in good foods
- a sense of control but without obsession (emotional eater from way back)
- a more active lifestyle in general
- I have learned to run!! And am learning to enjoy it! I can run to the letterbox without huffing and puffing now. Amazing. I am entering an 8k race in August and I am getting a Garmin for my Birthday (I am one lucky, lucky girl!)
- a more positive and energised mood. I'm just a nicer person now. I don't think I was awful back then, but I sure wasn't as happy.
- a better self-esteem. I am more confident and I feel I can take on the challenges put before me.

I had an idea in my mind that I'd like to be 60 kgs (132 lbs). I'm now 65.4 kg (144 lbs). I honestly could not care less if I lost another ounce as long as I keep up the activity levels and the healthy food choices. I'm going to let my own body dictate where it ends up now and start slowly upping my calories to maintenance. I want to be fit, healthy and strong. I wouldn't have achieved anything with a crash diet or something that wasn't long term. It's exciting to know that this is the diet that I will have for the rest of my life... because it is an awesome diet with lots of yummy, healthy food and some yummy, not so healthy food, that makes me feel fantastic.

Edit - I lost a fair bit pre-mfp. My total lose is around 42 kgs.

tmauck4472

I have short term goals, I have not as of yet decided on a weight when I'll be done dieting and start maintaining, I'll know the perfect weight when I reach it. I'm not there yet. My short term goal is 15 lbs a month and so far I've been reaching that and a couple extra.

Arthemise1

I make time/weight goals usually tied to an event because otherwise I just put it off until another day and don't keep the pressure on myself to be good. It motivates me more than anything else. It works for me.

Capt_Apollo

i like having a goal date. however, the date is usually a race or competition. knowing that you have a 5k/triathlon/mud run to do and be ready on a specific date is much better then saying "i need to lose XX pounds by my cousins wedding or no one will ever love me!"

Bobby_Clerici

It's ABSURD; I know.
People get it in their little heads that they need to crash diet for some silly event as opposed to just being healthy and achieving optimal fitness.
I do believe we should set goals, and tracking progress is good.
And if your weekly weight loss goal is a pound per week, then in 6 weeks, one should be 6 lbs or so less.
That's not what I am talking about.
It galls me when I see people shoot themselves in the foot crash dieting in some vain effort to drop weight fast.
Those are usually the ones who fail time and time again.
COUNT ME OUT!:glasses:

AgapeLove7

for myself, I feel more pressure when I focus on a certain date. Instead, I focus on how I feel after eating a healthy meal. Losing weight is the icing on the cake