Goal weights and maintenance

JeanneTops · August 2010

I've read a lot of posts by folks who say they have more than one weight goal. I know I've got three - the goal I say I'm aiming for (what I used to weigh as an adult), the goal I'd really like to reach but don't think it's likely (what I weighed at 18 and that was a looooong time ago) and the goal that I've wanted to weigh all my life but never have (the weight that I'd be happy to say if asked.)

My question is: does it make a difference to your long term maintenance if you reach your first goal but don't really feel like you've succeeded yet? Does that arbitrarily created sense of failure eventually sabotage your ability to not gain the weight back? Is it just easier to either be on a diet or falling off of a diet than to just not be on a diet?

Although I've reached my first goal weight many times and once or twice my second goal weight, I never let myself think I was finished since there was always that totally unrealistic third goal. Eventually, I'd "fall off" the diet and start gaining weight.

Do you have more than one goal weight in mind? Are your second or third goal weights realistic? If you've reached goal, did you feel "finished"?

msmith101 · August 2010

Multiple goal weights are a good thing I think. It helps you to get where you ultimately want to be but in stages. That way you feel like you have accomplished something and can feel proud of what you are doing, then it's time to start on the next one. You need to be realistic with your main goals but I see absolutely nothing wrong with having a Dream Goal. We all need to have dreams!!! Also, we will never really be DONE, FINISHED. For those of us who have been overweight for so much of our life it will be an everyday for the rest of our life battle to get it off and keep it off. But we can do it!!! We are worth the effort and work it takes to do this!!! Good Luck and keep it up!! You can do it!!!

apehead1 · August 2010

I iniatlly started with a goal of losing 20 lbs. Once I achieved that I reset it and my goal was to weigh 160 which is the lowest I have ever been. I thought I would be satisfied there, but the weight came off pretty easy and so I started thinking can I make the weight range that the BMI suggests which is 150 As of this morning I have lost 35 lbs and weigh 155 lbs. If I hit that it will be my dream goal. Wow and I started this journey of May 25 of this year.

The only thing I am concerened about is going into maintance mode not sure how to do that?

Goals are good.

skygoddess86 · August 2010

I guess I do have those other two numbers in my head but I never really thought about it before. I'm sure my third one is completely unrealistic for my age, that would be my high school weight. It probably wouldn't even look good buy my mind thinks that would be so cool.

jamboree1006 · August 2010

I hadn't thought about it before, but sure, I have several numbers in mind. Like you, I have the idea high school weight. I was never skinny, but I was in good shape in high school. Then came college 10, 20 and working 30, 40..you get the picture. This is the first time I've worked so hard to get down. I prefer to refer to my goals as short term and long term. I have a three month goal, a six month goal and a year goal. I am convinced that if I stay at this pace, (exercising an hour a day and eating mostly "live" food--fruits and veggies) that I will reach it. I am sure you can do the same. I think when it comes down to it, it is a matter of science and math. Keep it up. We're never too old. Let's not give up. "Do not grow weary in the race, for in due season you shall reap if you do not lose heart" (Galatians)

Kasuko · August 2010

May take on goals is to have many small attainable goals. Take small steps. While you don't have to feel like a super hero because you attained your goal it will help in the long run.

The problem with only having 1 goal that is your "ideal" weight is the time line. It may take a long time to reach that goal. Somewhere along the lines in the middle you will find a plateau (everyone does) and this will stress your willpower. You may even (hopefully not though) give up when you see how hard you have been working but still have SO FAR to go.

This is why small attainable goals are desirable. If you constantly feel like you are making progress you will constantly be motivated to succeed. Then when you hit your plateau, you look back at all the goals you have successfully overcome and use that as motivation to overcome this hardship.

Think of it as goals and milestones. A goal is just a step along the way (a stepping stone if you may :P ) while the milestone is a major accomplishment.

Goals are there to let you know you are succeeding, milestones are the true accomplishment.

mekhala · August 2010

i am doing a lifestyle change - so the weight will hopefully reflect that in time.

Being more active and eating calories that will allow me to looses 1 lb a week - i'm in no rush to loose the weight, i want it to stay gone once it has gone.

I have been big since i can remember and if i am honest i am less hungry now i am tracking everything (probably becasue i treat my calories like money and try to get the best value for them)

I wouldnt set firm long term goals - i have set short term goals for 1 lb a week and a long term goal for my ideal weight - but i plan to stop dieting when i feel comfortable in my body - i wont see this as a defeat as long as i am in the healthy range of weight.

Good luck and enjoy all the wonderfull food out there - in moderation - i have cake and ice cream guilt free and still loosing the lb a week!

SimonLondon · August 2010

I had two goal weights but mostly it was a waist inch goal which I've also hit.

It is mostly mind over matter with these things and if you have the right frame of mind anything is possible. Once I hit my first goal I was immediately excited to hit the next so I pushed myself even harder.

Once I hit my goal 140lb and my goal 30" waist I had not only learnt much about healthy eating but I had also developed a brilliant new lifestyle routine. Maintaining this weight has since been easy because:

a; I didn't go for the quick fix to lose weight and I spent months losing it.
b; Because I'd spent months losing it I had created the perfect lifestyle change and exercise routines

Once you get to your goal you no longer have many cravings because your cravings will be rare. You will also have found alternatives to most foods and even if you do binge you don't have the stomach capacity to go too far.

Be happy and keeping aiming for those goals. one day it will all pay off!

girlruns · August 2010

When I started this journey (this time

) I didn't really take the time to set mini goals. My highest weight was 171, top of healthy weight for me was 150, and I wanted to get to 130. I didn't give myself a timeline or set up rewards or anything, I just had this floating number of 130. I am now 12 pounds away and am wondering the same thing as you--will I feel satisfied once I am there?? My lowest in high school was 119, and I don't really want to get there again, but will 130 be okay??

I think the thing that will help me, is that even once I do hit 130, I will keep my calories at a deficit for a few weeks, then slowly work up to maintainance (sp? sorry...). I also know that I really want to work toward my goals of a second 1/2 marathon then a 2nd marathon, and work on total toning. Hopefully all of that will be enough of a focus to keep me going.

Another idea I had was to set up rewards for every month I manage to maintain my goal weight--after all, that is just as much of a struggle as losing it in the first place!!

Just keep on keeping on, and if you really work at this as a lifestyle, you will know when you are ready to stop the losing and keep up the habits. Good luck!

Goal weights and maintenance

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