Deadlines on weight loss? yes or no? lets debate.

Railr0aderTony
Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I really do not believe in Deadlines, I think it leads to disapointment and desperation in people. I did not put this weight on in any set timeframe and it will only come off as I continue to eat right and exercise. I am curious to hear other people's points of view, I try to be open minded.
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Replies

  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    I set mini goals, to encourage me to stay on track and to break the weight loss up into smaller more manageable pieces. I try to make my goals but am not upset when I don't since weight loss is not linear. Not sure if that's what you're talking about.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    I set mini goals, to encourage me to stay on track and to break the weight loss up into smaller more manageable pieces. I try to make my goals but am not upset when I don't since weight loss is not linear. Not sure if that's what you're talking about.

    I could see how that could push you. I guess we all do that to some extent, I know the number I want to see each time i step on the scale even if i do not write it down. Thanks for replying.
  • doneatfour
    doneatfour Posts: 120 Member
    I set deadlines--and always miss them. :laugh: I like having a deadline though because it keeps me focused and motivated. I have mini-goals and mini-deadlines and adjust them depending on how much weight I actually lost at that point and what is reasonable based on my history. Then I move on and try to meet the new deadline. Without a deadline, I tend to be more lax and think "there's always tomorrow." That's why it took me so long to start losing weight in the first place.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    I set deadlines--and always miss them. :laugh: I like having a deadline though because it keeps me focused and motivated. I have mini-goals and mini-deadlines and adjust them depending on how much weight I actually lost at that point and what is reasonable based on my history. Then I move on and try to meet the new deadline. Without a deadline, I tend to be more lax and think "there's always tomorrow." That's why it took me so long to start losing weight in the first place.
    This was always my problem, when I would miss a deadline i would give up and chuck the whole thing. My only deadline is the 24 hr calorie deadline that MFP gives and that has worked real well for me. But I love hearing this stuff and learning, I am always willing to learn so I appriciate everyone's point of view. Thanks for the reply
  • cbeutler
    cbeutler Posts: 667 Member
    I freak out when I add the deadline. For me it is healthier to only make changes that I can keep forever and be patient.
  • lwagnitz
    lwagnitz Posts: 1,321 Member
    What's that saying, "A goal without a plan is a wish". I feel like setting deadlines is part of that plan :) Without the deadline, what is to say you can't keep pushing it off?
  • willdob3
    willdob3 Posts: 640 Member
    I'll take it a step further.

    I do not think weight loss is an appropriate goal. Goals should be achievable by specific actions. You to this & that & the goal is achieved. Weight does not fit. You can do everything right & not hit that goal number. Add to that the fact that so many allow their emotions to be ruled by whatever the number on the scale might be and, well...

    Also, no number on the scale is going to automatically equal being happy with one's appearance and/or level of fitness.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    I freak out when I add the deadline. For me it is healthier to only make changes that I can keep forever and be patient.

    Amen Craig and you have lost a couple pounds this way.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    I'll take it a step further.

    I do not think weight loss is an appropriate goal. Goals should be achievable by specific actions. You to this & that & the goal is achieved. Weight does not fit. You can do everything right & not hit that goal number. Add to that the fact that so many allow their emotions to be ruled by whatever the number on the scale might be and, well...

    Also, no number on the scale is going to automatically equal being happy with one's appearance and/or level of fitness.

    That was awesome
  • icimani
    icimani Posts: 1,454 Member
    i have an end goal in mind, and I also set mini-goals because the end goal can still get pretty overwhelming at times.

    "If you don't have a goal, you get lost in the murk of the journey." (paraphrased from a Will Smith quote)
  • OneDimSim
    OneDimSim Posts: 188 Member
    i am being pretty strict on my diet - so my Deadline is October 31st.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    What's that saying, "A goal without a plan is a wish". I feel like setting deadlines is part of that plan :) Without the deadline, what is to say you can't keep pushing it off?

    why does a goal make a wish a plan? if you follow the daily goal(eatting your target) and do that consistantly is that just a wish?
  • Theresafinallygetsitright
    Theresafinallygetsitright Posts: 157
    I fail at deadlines with weight loss - never, ever, never achieve them. I have really avoided them this time around and it works for me. I will get there, when I get there :)
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    I fail at deadlines with weight loss - never, ever, never achieve them. I have really avoided them this time around and it works for me. I will get there, when I get there :)

    I would say you are well on your way.
  • Shawnzgirl78
    Shawnzgirl78 Posts: 148 Member
    I had a deadline in mind when I first started. However, a few months in now and down 11 pounds, I find that the energy and mood I am in because of exercise and eating better than I have in years has made me realize that this really IS a lifestyle and that whatever results I have from here on out are just icing on the cake! It helps me be a LOT less obsessed with weight and food in general! I just enjoy each day, not beating myself up when I don't have what I deem a satisfactory day and love life! My family is so much happier too :)
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    Ha, this is because what i wrote on my wall.

    Ahhhh Busted, YES i wanted to pick up the debate from your wall, I AM GUILTY.
  • Clement1ne
    Clement1ne Posts: 82
    I see how having a 'deadline' could be motivating in a way, but the language isn't right... universally we use 'deadline' as a common term at work and it is generally associated with negativity & pressure. Instead of deadline, I'd say "Time Goal of _______ (fill in time here, 1 month/2 months/6 months...).

    I'm getting married on May 24th, 2014 (so almost in one year), so that's my "Time Goal', if you will. I want to look and feel great for my wedding so by then I'd like to be 120-130 lbs. Currently I'm between 185-190 lbs (depends on the time of day, lol).

    Excellent topic to bring up!

    Emmalee :smile:
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    I set deadlines to motivate me. Luckily I don't get discouraged if I don't meet them, it just motivates me even more. So for me, they work :)
  • ktsmom430
    ktsmom430 Posts: 1,100 Member
    Yes.
    My deadline when I began here was Dec 2013. I signed up here in February 2012, but really began March 12, 2012.
    I need to lose at least 8 more pounds by then, but I will be continuing until I get to low range BMI.
    Our insurance will go up if we are not at healthy levels on blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol (good & bad), non smoker, and weight.
    Weight is my only issue, thank goodness.
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    No deadlines for fat loss at all. It happens when it happens so long as I keep doing what I need to do. I make strength related goals rather than weight loss goals these days, as I find that a much more positive way to motivate myself.
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    I agree I don't set deadlines, I think it sets you up for failure. I will get to my goal when I get there.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    My deadline is before I develop full blow diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. I have one shot at not getting diabetes and that deadline is 3 months from now, so I have to make that choice. I am counting calories and exercising everyday now. I am not putting it on myself to lose a certain amount of weight, just enough to get my numbers back down to a healthy range even if they are at the top of the scale of healthy, just so long as they are in that range I'm good with it. It might not be recommended, but I am going to try for a 30lb loss in that 3 mos. I am being careful about it and I am under a doctor's supervision. Buy careful I mean I am not out jogging, I am walking just a little bit faster and I am not eating under 1800 calories a day, so I am pretty sure I can fit my nutritional needs in that. I won't be disappointed if I don't hit my weight loss goal. I will be if I still haven't gotten my blood glucose level down to a healthy amount.
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    those who diet frantically to squeeze into a bikini/wedding outfits etc and actually make it fail to maintain it most times.

    Treat it as a lifestyle...goals are important to set, and weight loss is more to do with actually achieving it rather than pressuring yourself to do it in a set time.


    I often advise people who want to lose 10 lbs in 2 weeks for a vacation/wedding etc to go visit a 3rd world country for 2 weeks and eat like the locals.
  • lwagnitz
    lwagnitz Posts: 1,321 Member
    What's that saying, "A goal without a plan is a wish". I feel like setting deadlines is part of that plan :) Without the deadline, what is to say you can't keep pushing it off?

    why does a goal make a wish a plan? if you follow the daily goal(eatting your target) and do that consistantly is that just a wish?

    No..that's part of the PLAN part.

    By definition goal:
    An observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed timeframe.

    So, to me, the end date is part of goal-setting.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i think that signing up for a race and having that be a goal date, is much better than saying "i need to be at this weight on this date to fit into this dress."
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    I started out that way over a year ago. I realized it is a lifestyle change because I feel 100% better then I have in years. I never ever want to to back to "before".
  • KristysLosing
    KristysLosing Posts: 683
    I agree with you OP. I have mini goals, but no deadlines.
  • Jessi_Brooks
    Jessi_Brooks Posts: 759 Member
    Ive never set a deadline, but maybe would if I had a specific, important event I wanted to reach a goal by. Even then Im not sure I would want to cuz I could see myself setting a goal even just slightly unrealistic, then pushing myself too hard to reach it. Doing things the way Im doing it now, without a deadline, I know Im being healthy about it, and Im never disappointed to see that its such and such date and Im 'only' down 5 lbs or whatever.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    i think that signing up for a race and having that be a goal date, is much better than saying "i need to be at this weight on this date to fit into this dress."

    I really like this idea, this would be something I would strive for.
  • lwagnitz
    lwagnitz Posts: 1,321 Member
    i think that signing up for a race and having that be a goal date, is much better than saying "i need to be at this weight on this date to fit into this dress."

    :drinker: :flowerforyou:

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