Setting Goals

HotSouthernMess
HotSouthernMess Posts: 474 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, overall...I want to lose about 120 pounds from where I am at today. I think the best way to do this, is to set mini-goals for myself. I believe that is easier than looking at the "big picture". What is the best time frame to loss ratio that seems to work for everyone? I know everyone is different, but I do not want to set something for myself that is extremely unattainable. Right now, I am a part of the St. Patricks Day Challenge and I have set my goal to lose 20 pounds by St. Patricks Day. This, to me, seems attainable. But, I would like to set something for myself kinda like this:

01/14/2014 SW: 256.6
02/14/2014 GOAL: 246.6-(MET ON DATE)
03/14/2014 GOAL: 236.6-(MET ON DATE)
04/14/2014 GOAL: 226.6-(MET ON DATE)
05/14/2014 GOAL: 216.6-(MET ON DATE)
06/14/2014 GOAL: 206.6-(MET ON DATE)
ETC...ETC...

Does this seem right? I am only 4'11" with over 100 pounds to lose, so I do not think that 8-10 pounds a month is unhealthy or too quick. Any advice would be appreciated!

Replies

  • _Calypso_
    _Calypso_ Posts: 1,074 Member
    For most 3-10lbs loss per month is a good goal. But you're right - take baby steps and you'll feel better with those accomplishments vs looking too far ahead adn getting discouraged.

    Good luck to you!!
  • HotSouthernMess
    HotSouthernMess Posts: 474 Member
    Thanks! When I first started MFP I lost 65 pounds in about 6 months but at the time, I thought that was very slow and got discouraged (seeing my ticker saying 85 pounds to go). I realize now, that I was crazy and that was an impressive loss. If I did it then, I can do it now...but I hope that with my new mind set and reaching smaller goals instead of just looking at the big picture, I will be able to better maintain it!
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    I think goals are awesome! Just realize that weight loss is not linear and you won't lose at the same rate with 15 pounds to lose as you do with 100 pounds to lose.

    Might I suggest setting other goals that don't involve a scale, though? I love fitness goals, and mine are rarely dependent upon a deadline.
  • HotSouthernMess
    HotSouthernMess Posts: 474 Member
    Absolutely! I am open to anything that will help keep me on track!
  • HotSouthernMess
    HotSouthernMess Posts: 474 Member
    Seriously??? Why don't posts like this get as many hits as some of the dumb games. Maybe I should have title it "carbs=death" to draw people in :grumble:
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Seriously??? Why don't posts like this get as many hits as some of the dumb games. Maybe I should have title it "carbs=death" to draw people in :grumble:

    Why do you feel the need that everyone on MFP needs to weigh in on your topic? You asked for an opinion, and you got some pretty good ones. What more is there to say? Your goals sound pretty good. Add in some fitness goals to give you some perspective when the scale doesn't say what you want it to.
  • journey_man
    journey_man Posts: 110 Member
    Yeah goal setti.g is tricky because you don't really know what to expect.

    I have a one year goal and a six month goal. Then I set a new monthly goal every month. I DON'T have the months planned out in advance. I have no idea how much I'm gonna weight in April. But based on the past few weeks, I have a reasonable idea of where I should be in early Feb. When that comes around, I will set my early March goal. Etc... Been working for me so far.
  • HotSouthernMess
    HotSouthernMess Posts: 474 Member
    Yeah goal setti.g is tricky because you don't really know what to expect.

    I have a one year goal and a six month goal. Then I set a new monthly goal every month. I DON'T have the months planned out in advance. I have no idea how much I'm gonna weight in April. But based on the past few weeks, I have a reasonable idea of where I should be in early Feb. When that comes around, I will set my early March goal. Etc... Been working for me so far.

    I never thought of it that way. I guess setting a new goal once you reach your current one, is a really good way to do it. Because if I don't reach my goal for April, I feel like my goal for May is not attainable and I get all thrown off. I think I will try that and see how well it works for me!


    Seriously??? Why don't posts like this get as many hits as some of the dumb games. Maybe I should have title it "carbs=death" to draw people in :grumble:

    Why do you feel the need that everyone on MFP needs to weigh in on your topic? You asked for an opinion, and you got some pretty good ones. What more is there to say? Your goals sound pretty good. Add in some fitness goals to give you some perspective when the scale doesn't say what you want it to.

    It isn't that, I just get frustrated because I post stuff all the time and sometimes I will NEVER get a reply because the forums are so tied down with "date, marry, pass..." games that the fitness ones never get seen. I get that people want to have fun, and I have taken part in the games before too...but at the end of the day, this is a FITNESS site. Shouldn't people be trying to help others with their fitness goals? By the way, I really do appreciate your input. I have set some goals for myself aside from the general weight loss, to include being able to complete the 30 shred, which I have attempted to do and gave up and to go for a longer period of time on the elliptical each month.
  • namelesshere
    namelesshere Posts: 334 Member
    Goal setting is tricky. How are you at handling disappointment if you don't meet those goals. It will be OK to log your weight on those days but if you are not losing at the rate you choose will you be disappointed and give up. Unless I am reading it wrong, you wish to be those weights on those dates. I have to take it one day at a time, my goal is to stay on track and log my eating faithfully. The scale will produce the results. My goal is dependent on my behavior (something I have control over) and not on my scale.
  • HotSouthernMess
    HotSouthernMess Posts: 474 Member
    Another user did point that out to me and made me re-think my goals. I am hard on myself and will typically give up which is a big part of why I have lost and gained the same 70 pounds over the past 8 years. I reset my goals and I think this way will produce better results...

    Weight Loss Goals:
    SW: 1/14/2014 - 256.6
    Goal: 2/14/2014 - 246.6
    Goal: 3/14/2014 - (St. Patricks Day Challenge)
    Goal: 4/14/2014 -
    Goal: 5/14/2014 -
    Goal: 6/14/2014 - (My 30th birthday goal!!)
    Goal: 7/14/2014 -

    Fitness Goals:
    January - eat healthy, within my calorie goals, every day (NO "cheat days")
    February -
    March -
    April -
    May -
    June -
    July -

    On February 14th, I will weigh in and based on the results...I will set my goal for the next month. That way, If I lose more than 10 pounds by then...I can either chose to average things out and only lose 9 pounds the next month or I can maybe see about losing a little more than 10 based on how I feel about the overall situation. It is hard to explain, but hopefully you understand what I mean...
  • namelesshere
    namelesshere Posts: 334 Member
    That is probably a safer way to setting goals. It is OK to set them, just don't make it impossible. As I am recovering from a year of illness, I am also trying to set fitness goals for myself. I have a treadmill and am working up to 30 min at 3mph in one stretch. It is a long range goal as so far I am at 15 min at 2.5 mph. Still it is something I can control and work toward, knowing if I don't put in the time, I will not get there.
  • HotSouthernMess
    HotSouthernMess Posts: 474 Member
    That is a very good plan! I wish you good luck and hope you have a healthy recovery!

Categories