early success with short term goals!
U2shannon
Posts: 2
Hello everyone! I am new to MFP, and was looking for a good (and free) tool to help track my progress, and so far, I am very pleased with what I see. In the simple fact that I have been able to find the foods and brands that I eat in the food tracking page, and that I can make adjustments based on my actual consumption and exercise, makes me VERY excited. It's good to have something tangible to see what I may or may not be doing right.
So this is the story that brought me here. I used to be very fit and active. I weighed about 103-106 pounds into the middle of my 20's, then got quite sick. It took a very long time to receive a diagnosis; in the meantime, my body, mind, and spirit were completely out of sorts. I have been so unhappy with myself, and living for a good 10 years in denial of what had occurred.
In December 2006, I weighed 225 pounds - my peak weight. I am 5' 6" so that's considerably overweight. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's type), and while I get regular check ups and am consistent with med-management, my weight was never consistently going back down. In three years, I was able to move down from 225 to 212 as of December 2009. While that is progress, it's just not enough for me.
A few months back, my gyn found an 8-10 cm fibroid on my uterus. This was disappointing considering we were trying to conceive (difficult enough with thyroid d/o). Fibroids can be caused by high levels of estrogen - high levels of estrogen frequently occurs in women who are overweight. I will be having surgery at the end of this month, and I decided I had to come to terms with my weight, and not be so casual about it - 13 pounds in 3 years is unacceptable.
I discussed my weight with my partner, and what we realized was this. I was always looking towards a long term goal; and when I wasn't reaching that fast enough, I gave in to bad habits (both nutritionally and physically) out of pure frustration. I needed to reassess my availability to food and exercise, and make a commitment to being sensible about my goals. I acquired the tools I needed for exercise -- In December I got my own treadmill for the house - time is no longer an excuse when it comes to simple walking; I also bought a few smaller items like videos, yoga mats, hand weights, and balance ball. Likewise, I committed to smaller portions, no sodas, and fresh meats and veggies instead of pre-packaged/processed foods.
I decided to set short term goals rather than focus on the final product. I have set a fair number for the month, and during January 2010 and February 2010, I lost 10 pounds. My goal for the end of February was to be 199; however, I fell slightly short and weighed in at 202. But the failure to reach my goal by 3 pounds has not disrupted me one bit! Look at my progress - 10 pounds in two months, versus 13 pounds in three years! It is now March 10, 2010, and I have lost 4 more pounds since the end of February - I am now 198. My goal for the end of this month is 190. I cannot tell you how long it has been since I could say that my weight was in the 100's. It's such a good feeling, and I cannot help but feel that I am finally making the right choices in my life.
As I said earlier, I am planning a major surgery, and I want to be as fit as I can so I can have a good recovery. I do recognize that following my surgery I will not be able to exercise for several weeks, and I am prepared for a set back. It's okay now, because, first, it's unavoidable - I need the surgery, and second, I know what I am doing now.
I know it's hard, and everyone is different. I just think it's better to have short term weight loss goals. I think with that plan, that once the weight is off and I feel like I am in a place that I want to manage, short term will help me overcome any bumps in the road ahead. And hopefully, one of those bumps will be a baby bump!
Good luck to you all! I wish you the very best!
So this is the story that brought me here. I used to be very fit and active. I weighed about 103-106 pounds into the middle of my 20's, then got quite sick. It took a very long time to receive a diagnosis; in the meantime, my body, mind, and spirit were completely out of sorts. I have been so unhappy with myself, and living for a good 10 years in denial of what had occurred.
In December 2006, I weighed 225 pounds - my peak weight. I am 5' 6" so that's considerably overweight. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's type), and while I get regular check ups and am consistent with med-management, my weight was never consistently going back down. In three years, I was able to move down from 225 to 212 as of December 2009. While that is progress, it's just not enough for me.
A few months back, my gyn found an 8-10 cm fibroid on my uterus. This was disappointing considering we were trying to conceive (difficult enough with thyroid d/o). Fibroids can be caused by high levels of estrogen - high levels of estrogen frequently occurs in women who are overweight. I will be having surgery at the end of this month, and I decided I had to come to terms with my weight, and not be so casual about it - 13 pounds in 3 years is unacceptable.
I discussed my weight with my partner, and what we realized was this. I was always looking towards a long term goal; and when I wasn't reaching that fast enough, I gave in to bad habits (both nutritionally and physically) out of pure frustration. I needed to reassess my availability to food and exercise, and make a commitment to being sensible about my goals. I acquired the tools I needed for exercise -- In December I got my own treadmill for the house - time is no longer an excuse when it comes to simple walking; I also bought a few smaller items like videos, yoga mats, hand weights, and balance ball. Likewise, I committed to smaller portions, no sodas, and fresh meats and veggies instead of pre-packaged/processed foods.
I decided to set short term goals rather than focus on the final product. I have set a fair number for the month, and during January 2010 and February 2010, I lost 10 pounds. My goal for the end of February was to be 199; however, I fell slightly short and weighed in at 202. But the failure to reach my goal by 3 pounds has not disrupted me one bit! Look at my progress - 10 pounds in two months, versus 13 pounds in three years! It is now March 10, 2010, and I have lost 4 more pounds since the end of February - I am now 198. My goal for the end of this month is 190. I cannot tell you how long it has been since I could say that my weight was in the 100's. It's such a good feeling, and I cannot help but feel that I am finally making the right choices in my life.
As I said earlier, I am planning a major surgery, and I want to be as fit as I can so I can have a good recovery. I do recognize that following my surgery I will not be able to exercise for several weeks, and I am prepared for a set back. It's okay now, because, first, it's unavoidable - I need the surgery, and second, I know what I am doing now.
I know it's hard, and everyone is different. I just think it's better to have short term weight loss goals. I think with that plan, that once the weight is off and I feel like I am in a place that I want to manage, short term will help me overcome any bumps in the road ahead. And hopefully, one of those bumps will be a baby bump!
Good luck to you all! I wish you the very best!
0
Replies
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Welcome to the group! Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. I can attest that short term RESONABLE goals are the only way to go. Set yourself up for sucess (even in the slightest measure) and you can't fail. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished and everything that is to come!
I myself just had major knee surgery in Nov 2009 and just started getting back into my old swing of things. Don't let the surgery get you down. Just watch what you eat and be ready to start up again when you have dr's permission :-)
Good luck!0 -
Welcome! Short term goals are important because it is reachable where as your long term goal is going to take a little while to achieve. Well I hope surgery goes well and you get a baby bump a long the way! :bigsmile:0
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