Should I set goals?

amyotte1992
amyotte1992 Posts: 39 Member
in Motivation and Support
Does anyone feel that setting small personal goals, or weekly goals helps stay motivated? If so what are some of your goals?

Replies

  • ncthomas09
    ncthomas09 Posts: 322 Member
    I didn't start out with goals other than to reach a goal weight obviously. But then all of a sudden i was having a really hard time losing weight and nearly hit a plateau. So I decided that I needed to hit the 150's by my birthday and I would treat myself to a new bra from victoria's secret. I picked something I really wanted that I would be upset if I didn't get. So I pushed myself and I got it!!!

    I haven't yet decided what I want to do for reaching my final goal but we will see. Other than that one goal I haven't set any others at all.
  • Tribbey143
    Tribbey143 Posts: 388 Member
    yes! I sometimes just like to set mini goals for the day like drink 8 glasses of water today! or take my dog for two walks today! or something small and it adds up! :flowerforyou:
  • ChapinaGrande
    ChapinaGrande Posts: 289 Member
    I teach at a university and I set a goal at the beginning of every semester and month-long vacation. My current vacation is about to end and my new goals will include drinking a liter of water during my morning classes and another during my afternoon ones, going to the gym at least four times a week for at least an hour each time, staying under my calorie goals at least 6 days a week, using one new machine at the gym every week or taking at least one new exercise class, etc. It helps to continually improve myself and also it helps keep me focused and NOT BORED!!!
  • bodiva88
    bodiva88 Posts: 308 Member
    I don't have weekly goals, aside from being under in net cals and exercising 5 days a week. But I set a number of interim goals so the big goal isn't overwhelming. And the goals go with rewards.

    When I get to 250 I can go on a horseback tour of Gettysburg (you can't weigh more than 250 and ride the tour).

    When I get to 235 I plan to go to Machu Pichu. Although saving up enough to do that may take longer than getting to 235.

    When I get to 175 I plan to ride horseback in Hyde Park in London, because you can't weigh more than 175 and hire a hack.

    And I'm finding that each pound lost feels like a reward.
  • Jerodhold
    Jerodhold Posts: 87
    Yes setting small goals is a good thing to do, it keeps you motivated until you reach your main goal.
  • mfkn_Titanium
    mfkn_Titanium Posts: 131
    Absolutely! Set goals and be sure to share them - you are more apt to work towards them if you know you have others watching. ;)

    Some of my goals have been (at first) - 5 lb losses...then trying to hit protein goals, water intake, good food diary, etc....then lowering my bodyfat percentage....strength goals (for example: being able to deadlift my bodyweight or do an unassisted pull-up). I don't really have a reward system in place...it's just fun to hit the goals, share them with my friends here, and be reinforced for working hard. Well...it's also fun to buy new clothes so when the mood strikes...I go with it. ;)
  • fitQueenbeast
    fitQueenbeast Posts: 298
    Yes!!!!!!!

    Some of my goals include:

    1. Finish Insanity program....did that on August 12
    2. Lose the first 20 pounds by Sept 1 (almost there...my ticker is not updated
    )
    3. Start P90x Sept 3 and finish Dec 3
    4. Lose 10 pounds by October 1st
    5. Lose 10 pounds by November 1st
    6. Hit the 1000-calorie burn that Insanity flaunts by Sept 1 (getting VERY close as I hit 836 today)

    A major goal I had was to end each quarter at school with all As and stay on the President's List. I graduated with high honors and summa cum laude (4.0) back in May '12. New goal? Start grad school on 8/20/12 and get through each semester with all As.

    Goals are VERY important. They give you purpose. :-)

    Erica
  • cvthatcher
    cvthatcher Posts: 47 Member
    i'm buying myself a new belly button ring when i get down below 130. not a huge thing, but still something to look forward to!
  • LaurenLite
    LaurenLite Posts: 87
    Definitely- set a long term goal (that is achievable) and lots of short term goals. I set daily goals, weekly goals, etc). Make short term goals something you can easily accomplish- that helps to build your self esteem. Make it completely dependent on YOU- not a weight loss goal that has to do with the environment, your week, your stress, etc. Someone said about drinking 8 glasses of water a day. That is an easily achievable goal. You can set a goal of "No sugary drinks" or parking in the last parking spot or taking the stairs twice rather than once. Small things will really make you feel like you are making progress. :)
  • simplydelish2
    simplydelish2 Posts: 726 Member
    Small goals are helpful...just make sure they are things you can control. For instance, goal - exercise at least 180 minutes this week or stay within 10% of my daily calorie goal...NOT lose 2 pounds (you can eat right and exercise but the scale has a mind of it's own).
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I need goals to keep me from feeling stressed. If I don't have short, medium and long term goals (plus plans for making them happen) I feel as though I am wandering aimlessly through life. Goals keep me focused on a path and help me look forward to the future. I highly recommend setting them, but make sure you also have plans and timetables for meeting them - plus flexible backup options in case things don't go as expected. Dreams/goals generally go nowhere without action, though, and that's almost as bad as having no goals to begin with, so make sure you follow through! :flowerforyou:
  • amyotte1992
    amyotte1992 Posts: 39 Member
    Thank you so much everyone. I wish you great success in reaching all of your personal goals. :)

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